Which statement describes inner planets?

Which statement describes inner planets?

• A. Gas giants with many moons
• B. Terrestrial; rocky, closer to the Sun, few/no moons
• C. Large, dense planets with rings
• D. Far from the Sun

Answer: (B)

Inner planets are rocky, terrestrial worlds that orbit close to the Sun. Their proximity means they formed in a warmer region where volatile ices couldn’t condense, so these planets are solid and relatively small. Because of their smaller mass and lack of thick atmospheres, they have few moons—Mercury and Venus have none, Earth has one, and Mars has two. They also do not have ring systems. Descriptions about gas giants with many moons point to the outer planets, while phrases about being far from the Sun describe planets further out. This combination—rocky, close to the Sun, and few moons—best matches the inner planets.

Inner planets are rocky, terrestrial worlds that orbit close to the Sun. Their proximity means they formed in a warmer region where volatile ices couldn’t condense, so these planets are solid and relatively small. Because of their smaller mass and lack of thick atmospheres, they have few moons—Mercury and Venus have none, Earth has one, and Mars has two. They also do not have ring systems. Descriptions about gas giants with many moons point to the outer planets, while phrases about being far from the Sun describe planets further out. This combination—rocky, close to the Sun, and few moons—best matches the inner planets.