Answer to Question #220485 in General Chemistry for Red

Question

Why are some of the planets in our Solar system small and rocky whiles others are large, gaseous and icy?        

Answer 1

The temperature of the early solar system explains why the inner planets are rocky and the outer ones are gaseous. ... In the outer regions of the solar system where it was cooler, other elements like water and methane did not vaporize and were able to form the giant planets.