Lecture 2 Flashcards
1
Q
Components of the solar system?
A
The Sun contains >99.8% of the solar system’s total mass, planets have nearly negligible mass fraction
2
Q
Orbital configuration of the solar system planets?
A
All planets in the solar system orbit on the same orbital plane: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
3
Q
Terrestrial planets?
A
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Earth’s moon, and Mars
4
Q
Gas giant planets?
A
Jupiter and Saturn
5
Q
Ice giant planets?
A
Uranus and Neptune
6
Q
Why do we call Uranus and Neptune ice giant planets?
A
Because they have a massive mantle made of ices
7
Q
Why do we call Jupiter and Saturn gas giant planets?
A
Because they are basically big spheres made mostly of hydrogen and helium
8
Q
How much denser is Earth compared to Jupiter?
A
4 times
