The discussion revolves around the composition of gas giants and stars, specifically questioning whether they possess solid parts or cores. Participants explore the nature of these celestial bodies, focusing on their physical states and the implications for their structure and existence.
Participants express differing views on the existence of solid cores in gas giants and stars, with some asserting that they are primarily gaseous while others suggest the possibility of liquid or solid cores. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of their structural integrity without solid components.
There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the states of matter and the definitions of solid, liquid, and plasma. The implications of density and gravitational effects are also not fully explored.
Some gas giants have liquid cores. Some may potentially have solid cores. But for the most part, they're primarily made out of gas. If you ever fell into a gas giant, you'd likely be crushed by the pressure of the atmosphere long before you struck anything solid (or liquid).Allen_Wolf said:Are the gas giants and stars only composed of gas particles? Don't they have a solid crust or something? If they don't have a solid part then how can they exist alone?
But how can they stay compact even without a solid core?Chalnoth said:Some gas giants have liquid cores. Some may potentially have solid cores. But for the most part, they're primarily made out of gas. If you ever fell into a gas giant, you'd likely be crushed by the pressure of the atmosphere long before you struck anything solid (or liquid).
Stars are too hot for anything like this. They're composed of plasma, which is a form of matter where electrons aren't bound to atoms. Stars may have differing compositions (heavier elements tend to fall towards the cores of stars), but they're composed of plasma through-and-through.
How do you think stars are held together? Why do you think Earth has an atmosphere?Allen_Wolf said:But how can they stay compact even without a solid core?
A mass is a mass whatever state it is in, and where there is mass there is gravity.Allen_Wolf said:But how can they stay compact even without a solid core?