In the solar system, the distribution of light and heavy elements is as follows
A) Within a few astronomical units of the center, most of the matter consists of heavy elements. Beyond that, most of the matter consists of light elements.
B) Within a few astronomical units of the center, most of the matter consists of light elements. Beyond that, most of the matter consists of heavy elements.
C) Most of the light and heavy elements are within a few astronomical units of the center.
D) Most of the light and heavy elements are generally farther than a few astronomical units from the center.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the solar system, closer to the Sun (within a few astronomical units), planets like Earth, Mars, Venus, and Mercury, which are terrestrial planets, consist mostly of heavy elements. Beyond this region, in the outer solar system, the gas giants and ice giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) contain a higher proportion of light elements, such as hydrogen and helium.

In the Solar System, the Distribution of Light and Heavy