Which statement best describes outer planets?

Which statement best describes outer planets?

• A. Gas/ice giants; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune; large, mostly gas/ice, many moons, rings, low density
• B. Rocky, small planets close to the Sun
• C. Terrestrial planets with few moons
• D. Small, dense planets far from the Sun

Answer: (A)

Outer planets are the gas and ice giants far from the Sun—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They’re enormous and made mostly of light gases with icy components, which gives them a low average density despite their huge size. They also have many moons and, in many cases, ring systems (Saturn’s rings are the most famous). This combination of being large, mostly gaseous or icy, and having multiple moons and rings sets them apart from the inner, rocky planets that are smaller, denser, and closer to the Sun.

Outer planets are the gas and ice giants far from the Sun—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They’re enormous and made mostly of light gases with icy components, which gives them a low average density despite their huge size. They also have many moons and, in many cases, ring systems (Saturn’s rings are the most famous). This combination of being large, mostly gaseous or icy, and having multiple moons and rings sets them apart from the inner, rocky planets that are smaller, denser, and closer to the Sun.