gas planet

Definition

A gas planet is a planet that is made mostly of gas. Gas planets do not have a solid surface, but they have a thick atmosphere that is made up of hydrogen, helium, and other gases.

The four gas planets in our solar system are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are all very large, and they have very different atmospheres.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It is so big that it could fit all of the other planets inside of it! Jupiter's atmosphere is made up of mostly hydrogen and helium, with small amounts of other gases. The temperature at the top of Jupiter's atmosphere is about -230 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature at the centre of the planet is about 24,000 degrees Fahrenheit!

Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system. It is also made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, but it has a higher percentage of helium than Jupiter. Saturn's atmosphere is also much colder than Jupiter's, with temperatures ranging from -290 to -130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Uranus and Neptune are the smallest gas planets in our solar system. They are also the coldest planets, with temperatures ranging from -320 to -210 degrees Fahrenheit. Uranus' atmosphere is made up mostly of hydrogen, helium, and methane, while Neptune's atmosphere is made up mostly of hydrogen, helium, and ammonia.

Gas planets are very important in our solar system. They help to keep the planets in their orbits, and they also help to protect us from harmful solar radiation.

How can the word be used?

The gas giant Jupiter has a thick atmosphere that is made up mostly of hydrogen and helium.

Different forms of the word

The term "gas planet" is a noun that refers to a planet that is mostly made up of gas. Gas planets are also known as Jovian planets, after Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. Gas planets are typically found in the outer solar system, beyond the asteroid belt.

Etymology

The term "gas planet" is a compound word, consisting of the noun "gas" and the adjective "planet". The word "gas" comes from the Greek word gázein, which means "to emit, to exhale". The word "planet" comes from the Greek word planētēs, which means "wanderer".

Question

What is a gas planet?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question: What are the characteristics of gas planets?

Answer:

Gas planets are planets that are made up mostly of gas. They have no solid surface and are very large. The characteristics of gas planets include:

Large size: Gas planets are very large. Jupiter, the largest gas planet, is 11 times the diameter of Earth.
No solid surface: Gas planets have no solid surface. The atmosphere of a gas planet gradually gets denser and denser until it becomes a liquid. There is no clear boundary between the atmosphere and the liquid.
High temperature: Gas planets are very hot. Jupiter's average temperature is -108°C.
Strong winds: Gas planets have strong winds. The winds on Jupiter can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour.
Rings: Some gas planets have rings. The rings of Saturn are the most famous example.

Gas planets are a fascinating type of planet. They are very different from the rocky planets, such as Earth, Mars, and Venus. Gas planets are a valuable source of information about the formation and evolution of our solar system.

Here are some additional details about the characteristics of gas planets:

Large size: The large size of gas planets is due to their composition. Gas planets are made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, which are very light gases. This means that they have a very low density, which allows them to expand to a large size.
No solid surface: The lack of a solid surface on gas planets is due to their atmosphere. The atmosphere of a gas planet is so thick that it gradually gets denser and denser until it becomes a liquid. There is no clear boundary between the atmosphere and the liquid.
High temperature: The high temperature of gas planets is due to their gravity. The gravity of a gas planet is very strong. This causes the gas to compress and heat up.
Strong winds: The strong winds on gas planets are caused by the rotation of the planet. The gas on a gas planet is not solid, so it is free to move around. As the planet rotates, the gas is dragged along and this creates strong winds.
Rings: The rings of gas planets are made up of small particles of ice and dust. The particles are held in orbit around the planet by the planet's gravity.