/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 43 Which of the following is not a ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 3: Problem 43

Which of the following is not a general difference between terrestrial planets and jovian planets? (a) Terrestrial planets are much smaller and less massive than jovian planets. (b) Terrestrial planets are made largely of metal and rock while jovian planets also contain abundant hydrogen compounds such as methane, ammonia, and water. (c) Terrestrial planets have oceans of liquid water and jovian planets do not.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Option (c) is not a general difference.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the characteristics of terrestrial planets

Terrestrial planets are generally smaller, with solid surfaces composed largely of rock and metal. Examples include Earth, Venus, Mars, and Mercury.
02

Understand the characteristics of jovian planets

Jovian planets are large, gaseous planets that contain significant amounts of hydrogen and helium. These include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
03

Evaluate Option (a)

Option (a) states that terrestrial planets are much smaller and less massive than jovian planets. This is a true general difference, as terrestrial planets are typically denser but smaller and less massive than jovian planets.
04

Evaluate Option (b)

Option (b) claims that terrestrial planets are made largely of metal and rock, while jovian planets contain hydrogen compounds such as methane, ammonia, and water. This is also a true difference, highlighting the compositional disparity between the two types.
05

Evaluate Option (c)

Option (c) states that terrestrial planets have oceans of liquid water and jovian planets do not. This is not generally true for all terrestrial planets; for instance, Venus and Mercury lack oceans.
06

Determine the incorrect statement

Since option (c) does not consistently apply to all terrestrial planets, it is not a general difference between terrestrial and jovian planets.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Terrestrial Planets
Terrestrial planets, often referred to as the "rocky planets," are found in the inner part of a solar system. Their defining characteristics can help to distinguish them from other types of planets. Generally, terrestrial planets are:
  • Smaller in size compared to other planet types, like the jovian planets.
  • Characterized by solid surfaces made predominantly of rock and metals.
  • Composed of a thin atmosphere, if any, due to their smaller gravity which is not enough to hold a dense gaseous envelope.
Examples of terrestrial planets in our Solar System include Earth, Venus, Mars, and Mercury. Each has a distinct surface, with features such as mountains, valleys, and, in some cases, traces of water. It's this rocky exterior that primarily sets them apart from their gas giant counterparts.
Jovian Planets
Jovian planets, known as the "gas giants," are located in the outer regions of the solar system, distinguishing them in several key areas:
  • They are substantially larger in size and mass compared to terrestrial planets.
  • They have thick atmospheres composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, contributing to their vast size.
  • These planets lack a true solid surface and often have a core likely composed of metal and rock, surrounded by layers of gas.
  • They exhibit complex weather systems and frequently have extensive systems of rings and moons.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are examples of jovian planets in our solar system. Their composition and lack of a solid surface are what significantly differentiate them from terrestrial planets.
Planetary Composition
The composition of planets varies significantly between terrestrial and jovian types, shedding light on their formation and characteristics:
  • Terrestrial planets are primarily composed of iron, nickel, and silicate minerals. This metallic and rocky composition is responsible for their high density and solid surfaces.
  • Jovian planets, on the other hand, contain high quantities of hydrogen and helium. Alongside these, they harbor icy substances and gases like water, ammonia, and methane.
This stark difference in composition has implications for the planets' atmospheres, surfaces, and potential for life. The light gases found in jovian planets lead to lower density and a more volatile environment, while the dense materials in terrestrial planets allow for stability and potentially habitable conditions.
Liquid Water on Planets
Liquid water is a significant aspect when considering the habitability of planets. However, it's important to note the following:
  • Not all terrestrial planets have liquid water. For instance, Earth is unique among the terrestrial planets of our solar system for its vast oceans, whereas Venus and Mercury do not possess liquid surface water.
  • Jovian planets do not have liquid water on their surfaces due to their gaseous nature and extreme pressures. However, their moons, like Europa and Enceladus, may harbor subsurface oceans.
The presence of liquid water is often linked to the potential for life, making Earth a standout in its ability to support life as we know it. Understanding where liquid water exists helps guide the search for extraterrestrial life in the universe.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What is a light-year? Is it a unit of distance or time? Explain clearly.

Galaxy Scale. Consider the 1 to \(10^{19}\) scale on which the disk of the Milky Way Galaxy fits on a football field. On this scale, how far is it from the Sun to Alpha Centauri (real distance: 4.4 lightyears)? How big is the Sun itself on this scale? Compare the Sun's size on this scale to the size of a typical atom (real diameter: about \(10^{-10}\) meter

Atomic Terminology Practice. a. The most common form of iron has 26 protons and 30 neutrons in its nucleus. State its atomic number, atomic mass number, and number of electrons if it is electrically neutral. b. Consider the following three atoms: Atom 1 has seven protons and eight neutrons; atom 2 has eight protons and seven neutrons; atom 3 has eight protons and eight neutrons. Which two are isotopes of the same element? c. Consider fluorine atoms with nine protons and ten neutrons. What are the atomic number and atomic mass number of this fluorine? Suppose we could add a proton to this fluorine nucleus. Would the result still be fluorine? Explain. What if we added a neutron to the fluorine nucleus? d. The most common isotope of uranium is \(^{238} \mathrm{U}\), but the form used in nuclear bombs and nuclear power plants is \(^{235} \mathrm{U}\) Given that uranium has atomic number \(92,\) how many neutrons are in each of these two isotopes of uranium?

Briefly explain why we think our solar system ended up with rocky worlds in its inner regions and icy or gaseous worlds in its outer regions. How do we explain the small bodies that populate the asteroid belt, Kuiper belt, and Oort cloud?

Alien Technology. Some people believe that Earth is regularly visited by aliens who travel here from other star systems. For this to be true, how much more advanced than our own would the space travel technology of the aliens have to be? Write one to two paragraphs to give a sense of the technological difference. (Hint: The ideas of scale in this chapter can help you contrast the distance the aliens travel easily with the distances we are now capable of traveling.)
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Biological Molecules

Read Explanation

Cell Cycle

Read Explanation

Cell Communication

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation

Communicable Diseases

Read Explanation

Biological Organisms

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.