What is at the core of the gas giants?

Question

Ariana Acosta · Accepted Answer

There are several different types of planet which are known as gas giants. There are only theories about what there cores are like.

As true gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn are primarily made of hydrogen and helium. In addition to having substantial concentrations of hydrogen and helium, Uranus and Neptune also have other elements such as water, ammonia, and methane, which are all classified as ices. Therefore, in a technical sense, Uranus and Neptune are ice giants rather than gas giants. Computer models that attempt to explain the formation of hot planets and their internal structures allow us to theorize about the composition of gas giants. While it has long been believed that gas giants have rocky cores that have accumulated gasses to form the planet, newer theories indicate that this is not the case. The interior regions of gas giants experience extreme pressure; it is estimated that the pressure and temperature in Jupiter's core area exceed 3,000GPa and 35,000K, respectively. Hydrogen turns metallic at these pressures; up to 78% of Jupiter's surface is believed to be metallic hydrogen. A rocky core would have been eroded away by the surrounding metallic hydrogen, according to other theories, but recent theories contend that Jupiter condensed quickly from gases and does not have a rocky core. Thus, gas giants could have rocky cores, or they could not have any cores at all, with their centers being highly-pressurized metallic hydrogen or ices. To find out, we would need to perform extremely accurate gravitational measurements of Jupiter.

Nova Adams · Answer

undefined At the core of gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn, there is a dense mixture of rock, metals, and hydrogen compounds. These cores are thought to be surrounded by layers of metallic hydrogen and helium under immense pressure and temperature.