Which set lists the four outer, gaseous planets?

Which set lists the four outer, gaseous planets?

• A. Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus
• B. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
• C. Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune
• D. Neptune, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is recognizing the four outer planets, the gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These worlds lie beyond the asteroid belt and are known for their immense sizes and thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium, with no solid surfaces like the rocky inner planets. Any listing that includes all four outer planets is correct, since the order in which they’re written doesn’t change which planets are being named. The chosen option names exactly those four planets, just in a different sequence, so it validly represents the four outer gas giants. While the canonical sequence from the Sun is Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, the problem’s goal is to identify the set of planets, not the order, which is why this option is acceptable.

The idea being tested is recognizing the four outer planets, the gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These worlds lie beyond the asteroid belt and are known for their immense sizes and thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium, with no solid surfaces like the rocky inner planets.

Any listing that includes all four outer planets is correct, since the order in which they’re written doesn’t change which planets are being named. The chosen option names exactly those four planets, just in a different sequence, so it validly represents the four outer gas giants. While the canonical sequence from the Sun is Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, the problem’s goal is to identify the set of planets, not the order, which is why this option is acceptable.