What surface feature distinguishes terrestrial worlds from gas giants?
Answer
They typically possess a solid surface you could stand on
The defining structural difference between a terrestrial planet and a gas giant lies in the accessibility and nature of its surface. Terrestrial planets, being composed primarily of rock and metal, have attained a state where a solid surface exists beneath their crust, allowing objects or hypothetical observers to stand upon it. Conversely, worlds like Jupiter or Saturn lack such a distinct boundary; they transition gradually through increasingly dense atmospheric layers, meaning there is no defined solid ground to land on, only deepening layers of gas and fluid under immense pressure.
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