Simone Lawson
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is mostly comprised of hydrogen and helium. Oceans of liquid hydrogen make up over half of Jupiter's volume, with the immense pressure transforming the hydrogen from a gaseous state to a liquid state. This compression increases the density of the hydrogen, resulting in a central density of about 31 g/cm³. Jupiter's massive size allows for this compression to occur, as the hydrogen and helium are squeezed together at the planet's center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Over half of Jupiter's volume | Hydrogen |
| Remaining volume | Helium |
| Composition | Same as the Sun |
| Composition | Hydrogen and helium |
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What You'll Learn
Oceans of liquid hydrogen
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It is so massive that it has the same ingredients as a star. Interestingly, over half of Jupiter's volume is made up of liquid hydrogen. This is because, despite being less dense than terrestrial planets, Jupiter's size allows for the hydrogen and helium it contains to become highly compressed at its center. This compression increases the density of the planet's core to about 31 g/cm³.
The immense pressure generated by Jupiter's compression transforms the hydrogen inside the planet into a liquid state. This means that, unlike other planets, Jupiter is not primarily in a gaseous state. Instead, it consists of vast oceans of liquid hydrogen, with the deepest parts of these oceans being halfway to the planet's center. At these depths, the pressure is so extreme that electrons are forced off hydrogen atoms, causing the liquid to become electrically conductive, similar to metal.
The composition of Jupiter is similar to that of the Sun, consisting mostly of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter formed from the dust and gases leftover from the Sun's formation, accumulating more than twice the combined material of all other bodies in the solar system. As a result, it has enough mass to retain large quantities of hydrogen in its liquid state, creating the largest ocean in the solar system.
Jupiter's unique characteristics have earned it the title of a gas giant. However, due to the presence of oceans of liquid hydrogen, it could be argued that Jupiter is more akin to a "liquid planet." This distinction highlights how Jupiter's immense pressure and size have led to it having unusual properties, setting it apart from other planets in our solar system.
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Hydrogen compression
Jupiter is often referred to as a gas giant, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. However, due to the high pressures and temperatures deep within its atmosphere, the hydrogen gas undergoes significant compression and liquefies. This compression increases the density of the planet's core, resulting in a central density of approximately 31 g/cm³.
The process of hydrogen compression in Jupiter's atmosphere is a result of the planet's immense gravitational pull. As the planet has no solid surface, the hydrogen and helium gases are subjected to extreme pressures and temperatures. This compression transforms the gaseous hydrogen into a liquid state, forming vast oceans of liquid hydrogen that constitute over half of Jupiter's volume.
The immense pressure exerted on the hydrogen atoms in the deeper layers of Jupiter's atmosphere is believed to have fascinating effects. Scientists theorize that at these extreme pressures, electrons may be squeezed off the hydrogen atoms, rendering the liquid electrically conductive, similar to metal. This phenomenon contributes to Jupiter's unique characteristics and distinguishes it from other planets in the solar system.
Additionally, the compression of hydrogen has implications for our understanding of Jupiter's formation and evolution. Jupiter's composition is similar to that of the Sun, consisting of primarily hydrogen and helium. This suggests that Jupiter accumulated a substantial amount of mass during its formation, which led to the compression and liquefaction of hydrogen, resulting in its current state as a liquid planet.
In summary, hydrogen compression is a critical aspect of Jupiter's nature. The intense pressures and temperatures within its atmosphere transform hydrogen gas into a liquid, shaping the planet's density, structure, and unique properties. This compression also provides insights into the planet's formation and highlights its distinct characteristics compared to other planets in our solar system.
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Helium composition
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Oceans of liquid hydrogen make up over half of Jupiter's volume, while helium constitutes most of the remaining volume.
Jupiter's atmosphere is composed of hydrogen and helium, and as we move deeper into the atmosphere, the pressure and temperature increase, compressing the hydrogen gas into a liquid. This compression increases the density of the planet's center, resulting in a central density of about 31 g/cm³. The immense pressure caused by Jupiter's massive size liquefies the hydrogen inside it, giving it the largest ocean in the solar system, made of hydrogen instead of water.
The composition of Jupiter is similar to that of the Sun, and it is often referred to as a gas giant. However, due to the liquefaction of hydrogen, Jupiter is more like a liquid planet. Despite being much less dense than the terrestrial planets, the compression of hydrogen and helium in its center makes it extremely dense.
The presence of helium in Jupiter's composition is significant. Helium is the second most abundant element in the observable universe, after hydrogen. In Jupiter, the helium atoms coexist with hydrogen atoms under high pressure and temperature conditions. This mixture of hydrogen and helium contributes to the unique characteristics of the planet, including its immense size and density.
In summary, helium constitutes a significant portion of Jupiter's volume, complementing the majority share of hydrogen. The combination of these elements, under extreme conditions, results in the distinctive features of Jupiter, including its size, composition, and density.
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Gas giant
Jupiter is a gas giant, the largest planet in our solar system. It is so big that over a thousand Earths could fit inside it. Jupiter is mostly made up of hydrogen and helium, with hydrogen constituting over half of its volume. The immense pressure of the planet's center liquefies the hydrogen, and this compression increases the density, resulting in a central density of about 31 g/cm³. This means that despite being less dense than terrestrial planets, the pressure and temperature in Jupiter's atmosphere increase as you go deeper, compressing the hydrogen gas into a liquid.
This gives Jupiter the largest ocean in the solar system, but it is an ocean made of hydrogen instead of water. Scientists believe that at depths halfway to the planet's center, the pressure is so great that electrons are squeezed off hydrogen atoms, making the liquid electrically conductive. This liquid hydrogen is what constitutes over half of Jupiter's volume.
Jupiter has no solid surface, and its spots can persist for years due to its fast spin on its axis, which takes about 9.9 hours. The planet is swept by over a dozen prevailing winds, some reaching up to 335 miles per hour (539 kilometers per hour) at the equator. The Great Red Spot, a swirling oval of clouds twice as wide as Earth, has been observed for over 300 years.
Jupiter is a gas giant, but it is often referred to as a liquid planet due to the liquefied hydrogen that makes up most of its volume. The planet's composition is similar to that of the Sun, and it took most of the mass left over after the Sun's formation, ending up with more than twice the combined material of the other bodies in the solar system. Jupiter has the same ingredients as a star, but it never grew massive enough to ignite.
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Liquefied hydrogen
Hydrogen was first liquefied by James Dewar in 1898 using regenerative cooling and his invention, the vacuum flask. The stable isomer form of liquid hydrogen, parahydrogen, was first synthesized by Paul Harteck and Karl Friedrich Bonhoeffer in 1929. Parahydrogen is more stable than orthohydrogen as the two nuclear spins are antiparallel, whereas orthohydrogen has parallel nuclear spins. At room temperature, gaseous hydrogen is mostly in the ortho isomeric form. However, ortho-enriched mixtures are only metastable when liquefied at low temperatures.
Liquid hydrogen is commonly used as a concentrated form of hydrogen storage as it takes up less space than storing hydrogen as a gas at normal temperatures and pressures. It is also used as fuel for internal combustion engines or fuel cells, such as in submarines and concept hydrogen vehicles. Additionally, it is being investigated as a zero-carbon fuel for aircraft. Liquid hydrogen is also useful for cooling neutrons due to the similar masses of neutrons and hydrogen nuclei, allowing for maximum kinetic energy exchange during interactions.
The liquefaction of hydrogen requires cooling to cryogenic temperatures, and it is typically stored in super-insulated, cryogenic tanker trucks or thermally insulated containers. However, maintaining such low temperatures is challenging, and the hydrogen gradually leaks away, typically at a rate of 1% per day. Liquid hydrogen also presents safety concerns, including the risk of cold burns and the potential to liquefy or solidify atmospheric oxygen, creating an explosion hazard.
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Frequently asked questions
Oceans of liquid hydrogen.
Jupiter took most of the mass left over after the formation of the Sun, ending up with more than twice the combined material of the other bodies in the solar system.
The composition of Jupiter is similar to that of the Sun—mostly hydrogen and helium.
Deep in Jupiter's atmosphere, pressure and temperature increase, compressing the hydrogen gas into a liquid. This gives Jupiter the largest ocean in the solar system—an ocean made of hydrogen instead of water.
Due to the immense pressure, the hydrogen and helium in the center of Jupiter are tremendously compressed, and the hydrogen is liquefied.
