Which characteristic describes inner planets?

Which characteristic describes inner planets?

• A. They have many moons and rings
• B. They are terrestrial, rocky, closer to the Sun
• C. They are distant and gaseous
• D. They are the only planets with atmospheres

Answer: (B)

Inner planets are rocky, terrestrial worlds that orbit close to the Sun. Their solid surfaces and higher densities come from a composition made mainly of rock and metal, which sets them apart from the outer planets, the gas giants farther out with thick atmospheres and many moons and rings. Describing the inner planets as terrestrial, rocky, and closer to the Sun captures this defining trait most clearly. The other descriptions pertain to features of the outer planets—being distant and gaseous or having many moons and rings—and the idea that only inner planets have atmospheres isn’t accurate, since atmospheres exist on various planets, and the thickest ones belong to the outer giants.

Inner planets are rocky, terrestrial worlds that orbit close to the Sun. Their solid surfaces and higher densities come from a composition made mainly of rock and metal, which sets them apart from the outer planets, the gas giants farther out with thick atmospheres and many moons and rings. Describing the inner planets as terrestrial, rocky, and closer to the Sun captures this defining trait most clearly. The other descriptions pertain to features of the outer planets—being distant and gaseous or having many moons and rings—and the idea that only inner planets have atmospheres isn’t accurate, since atmospheres exist on various planets, and the thickest ones belong to the outer giants.