What substances are included in the broad definition of 'ice' used in planetary science for the outer solar system giants?
Answer
Frozen methane and ammonia, in addition to frozen water.
In the context of planetary science concerning the outer solar system giants, the term 'ice' carries a much broader meaning than simply frozen water. Because these distant worlds are extremely cold relative to the inner solar system, compounds that remain gaseous in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn—such as methane and ammonia—are able to condense and freeze into solid or dense fluid states on Uranus and Neptune. Therefore, the composition classified as 'ices' for these Ice Giants encompasses water, methane, and ammonia.
Related Questions
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