What is the Difference Between Jupiter and Earth?

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Jupiter and Earth are two very different planets in our solar system. Some of the key differences between them include:

  1. Size and Mass: Jupiter is a gas giant with a mean radius of 69,911 km (43,441 mi) and a mass of 1.8986×10²⁷ kg, making it almost 11 times the size of Earth and just under 318 times as massive. Earth, on the other hand, has a mean radius of 6,371 km (3,958.8 mi) and a mass of 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg.
  2. Composition: Jupiter is composed primarily of gases, such as hydrogen and helium, and does not have a solid ground. Earth is a terrestrial planet with a solid ground.
  3. Density: Earth has a significantly higher density than Jupiter.
  4. Rotation: Jupiter has a 10-hour day compared to Earth's 24-hour day, which means that it rotates much faster.
  5. Gravity: Jupiter has a little more than twice the gravity strength than Earth.
  6. Orbit and Position: Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun, while Earth is the third.
  7. Moons: Jupiter has four large moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto) and numerous smaller ones, while Earth has only one natural satellite, the Moon.
  8. Habitability: Earth is able to support life, while Jupiter is not.

These differences highlight the diverse nature of planets in our solar system and the unique characteristics that define each one.

Comparative Table: Jupiter vs Earth

Here is a table comparing the differences between Jupiter and Earth:

Feature Jupiter Earth
Size, Mass Mean radius: 69,911 km, Mass: 1.8986×10²⁷ kg Mean radius: 6,371 km, Mass: 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg
Density 1.33 g/cm³ 5.51 g/cm³
Orbital Parameters Average distance from Sun: 778,600,000 km (5.2 AU) Average distance from Sun: 149,600,000 km (1 AU)
Orbital Eccentricity 0.04839 0.0167
Atmosphere Primarily hydrogen and helium, lacks oxygen and nitrogen Primarily nitrogen and oxygen
Moons 79 known satellites 1 natural satellite (the Moon)

Please note that the mass of Jupiter is approximately 317.8 times greater than Earth's mass, but Jupiter has a density of only about 1/10 that of Earth. Their orbits are also quite different, with Jupiter being significantly further from the Sun than Earth.