Question

Part 1: What are the two groups of planets based on composition?
Part 2: Describe the composition of each group.

Answer 1

 Two groups of planets based on composition - Terrestrial/Rocky planets, and, Gas Giant planets.

Answer 2

Part 1:

Answer:

The "two groups of planets" based on the composition are 'Terrestrial Planets' and 'Jovian Planets'.

Explanation:

• The 8 planets in the solar system are classified into two distinct groups based on their composition.

• The "first four planets" closest to the Sun are called 'Terrestrial Planets' and the "next four planets" comparatively farther away from the Sun are called 'Jovian Planets'.

• The group of terrestrial planets gets its name from the surface characteristic of the planets, i.e. because the surface of these planets is hard and rocky.

• The other group gets its name 'Jovian' from the name of the first planet in this group, i.e. Jupiter.

Part 2:

Answer:

The terrestrial planets, viz. Mercury, Earth, Venus, and Mars are majorly composed of solids and have a solid surface, whereas, the Jovian planets, viz. Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune are composed of "gases" and do not have a solid surface.

Explanation:

• Depending on the states of matter that the planets are composed of, the planets are divided into two groups.

• The groups of planets that are formed on the basis of the composition of these planets help to divide the planets into the categories of 'solid planets' and 'gaseous planets'.