Q. Consider the following statements:
1.The terrestrial planets are low density planets as compared with gaseous planets.
2.The terrestrial planets are smaller and their lower gravity could not hold the escaping gases.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation: Out of the eight planets, mercury, venus, earth and mars are called the inner planets as they lie between the sun and the belt of asteroids the other four planets are called the outer planets.
Alternatively, the first four are called Terrestrial, meaning earth-like as they are made up of rock and metals, and have relatively high densities.
The difference between terrestrial and jovian planets can be attributed to the following conditions:
- The terrestrial planets were formed in the close vicinity of the parent star where it was too warm for gases to condense to solid particles. Jovian planets were formed at quite a distant location.
- The solar wind was most intense nearer the sun; so, it blew off lots of gas and dust from the terrestrial planets. The solar winds were not all that intense to cause similar removal of gases from the Jovian planets.
- The terrestrial planets are smaller and their lower gravity could not hold the escaping gases.
Source: NCERT – Fundamental of Physical Geography
