How do ice giants like Uranus and Neptune differ in composition from gas giants?
Answer
They have a higher proportion of water, ammonia, and methane
While gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn are dominated by hydrogen and helium, the ice giants Uranus and Neptune contain a higher percentage of heavier volatile compounds. These include water, ammonia, and methane, which condensed into ices during the early solar system. Methane in the atmosphere of these planets is also responsible for their characteristic blue-green appearance, as it absorbs red light.
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