Which statement best describes terrestrial planets?

Which statement best describes terrestrial planets?

• A. Found near the Sun and are small and rocky
• B. Large gas giants with rings
• C. Distant icy bodies with low density
• D. Objects in the Kuiper belt

Answer: (A)

Terrestrial planets are the rocky, inner planets of the solar system. They form close to the Sun where heat keeps ices from condensing, so they end up as small, dense worlds with solid surfaces. This is why the description “found near the Sun and are small and rocky” fits best. In contrast, large gas giants are far from the Sun and dominated by thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium (often with rings), distant icy bodies with low density lie beyond the frost line, and objects in the Kuiper belt are icy bodies farther out beyond Neptune. So the closest, rock-dominated, inner planets best match the description.

Terrestrial planets are the rocky, inner planets of the solar system. They form close to the Sun where heat keeps ices from condensing, so they end up as small, dense worlds with solid surfaces. This is why the description “found near the Sun and are small and rocky” fits best. In contrast, large gas giants are far from the Sun and dominated by thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium (often with rings), distant icy bodies with low density lie beyond the frost line, and objects in the Kuiper belt are icy bodies farther out beyond Neptune. So the closest, rock-dominated, inner planets best match the description.