8 upvotes, 3 direct replies (showing 3)
View submission: Ask Anything Wednesday - Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Medicine, Psychology
Our solar system has rocky planets closer to the sun and gas/ice giants further out. Is this because the solar system has a "density gradient" similar to how mixed liquids will eventually settle into layers with the more dense ones at the bottom?
Comment by 095179005 at 12/03/2025 at 16:38 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
As far as I'm aware it's because of the so called "frost line".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost_line_(astrophysics[1])
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost_line_(astrophysics
Volatiles condense beyond that point, allowing protoplanets to accrete them, and build themselves into gas giants.
Comment by Boomshockalocka007 at 13/03/2025 at 02:32 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I know Pluto isnt in this conversation....but Pluto having an icy core and ice volcanoes is WILD. Dwarf planets bewilder us all.
Comment by Iseenoghosts at 13/03/2025 at 06:19 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
tl;dr yes. If you examine the composition of mercury and some of the moons of the Jovian planets you'll find a dramatic difference in the density.