Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Leigh Knight on 28/08/2009 15:30:02

Title: What is the composition of Jupiter?
Post by: Leigh Knight on 28/08/2009 15:30:02

Leigh Knight  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I was watching a television programme the other day about Jupiter and it described Jupiter as being a completely gaseous planet, i.e. no surface.  Is this true?

What do you think?

Title: What is the composition of Jupiter?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 29/08/2009 00:18:44

Yep, it's a gas giant alright, mostly hydrogen and helium with small amounts of methane, water and ammonia.

Title: What is the composition of Jupiter?
Post by: LeeE on 29/08/2009 18:40:51

Jupiter, and the other gas giants too, are nearly entirely made from elements that are normally regarded as gaseous but as you go down deeper into the planet the pressure increases and at some point you'll find liquids and then eventually solids.  We can actually see liquids high up in the atmosphere of gas giants; the clouds we see in their atmospheres are actually in the form of liquid droplets, otherwise we wouldn't be able to see them.

Several very credible people have suggested that there may be large amounts of crystalised carbon i.e. diamond, at the center of gas giants.