Jovian Planets

What are the four Jovian planets?

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

What are the two types of Jovian planets?

Gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn) and Ice giants (Uranus, Neptune)

Why are Uranus and Neptune called 'ice giants'?

They have more ices like water, methane, and ammonia than gas giants.

Which elements dominate Jovian planet composition?

Hydrogen and helium

How do Jovian planets differ from terrestrial planets?

They are larger, less dense, gaseous, and have thick atmospheres, many moons, and rings.

What causes the blue color of Uranus and Neptune?

Methane absorbs red light and reflects blue.

Which planet has the Great Red Spot?

Jupiter

How long is a day on Jupiter?

About 9 hours

How long is a year on Neptune?

165 Earth years

Which planet has the fastest winds?

Neptune (~2,100 km

Why are Saturn's colors muted compared to Jupiter?

Clouds form deeper and haze layers mute the colors.

Which planet was discovered by mathematics?

Neptune

Which planet has extreme seasons?

Uranus (98° tilt)

What causes Uranus' extreme tilt?

Likely a massive impact early in its history.

Which Jovian planet emits about the same energy it absorbs?

Uranus

Which Jovian planet emits the most excess energy?

Neptune

What type of radiation do Jovian planets emit from internal heat?

Infrared radiation

What are the three main Jovian cloud layers (top to bottom)?

Ammonia → Ammonium hydrosulfide → Water

What determines where different cloud layers form?

Temperature and pressure with altitude.

Why do colder planets have deeper cloud layers?

Because gases condense at lower temperatures, deeper in the atmosphere.

What generates Jupiter’s strong magnetic field?

Rapid rotation and a layer of liquid metallic hydrogen.

What are the main sources of internal energy for Jovian planets?

Leftover formation heat, gravitational contraction, and helium condensation.

Which planets have liquid metallic hydrogen?

Jupiter and Saturn (gas giants).

Which planets do not have liquid metallic hydrogen?

Uranus and Neptune (ice giants).

What does 'liquid metallic hydrogen' mean?

Hydrogen compressed so much it behaves like an electrically conductive metal.

Why are Jovian cores so hot?

Extreme pressure deep inside slows cooling and keeps temperatures high.

What type of core do Jovian planets have?

A solid rock

Which planet spins fastest?

Jupiter (~9 hours per rotation).

What effect does rapid rotation have on Jovian planets?

Causes equatorial bulging and strong jet streams.

Do Jovian planets have auroras?

Yes, caused by charged particles in magnetic fields, but different colors than Earth's.

What do Jupiter and Saturn's rings consist of?

Fragments of ice and rock coated with ice.

Which planet has the 'Dragon Storm'?

Saturn, during its summer season.

What is the Kelvin–Helmholtz mechanism?

Gravitational contraction that releases heat as a planet slowly shrinks.

Why do gas giants emit more energy than they absorb?

They still radiate leftover heat from formation and contraction.

Which planet was first thought to be a comet?

Uranus, discovered accidentally by Herschel.

Why is Neptune denser than Uranus even though it’s smaller?

It likely has a larger rocky core and less hydrogen

How are Jovian planets’ orbits different from terrestrial planets?

Much larger and nearly circular (low eccentricity).

Which Jovian planet is closest to Earth?

Jupiter.

What type of light do we see from Jovian planets?

Reflected sunlight (visible light).

What type of light do they emit due to internal energy?

Infrared light.