Chapter 13, Problem 13.82PP

EXOPLANETS. As planets with a wide variety of properties are being discovered outside our solar system, astrobiologists are considering whether and how life could evolve on planets that might be very different from earth. One recently discovered extrasolar planet, or exoplanet, orbits a star whose mass is 0.70 times the mass of our sun. This planet has been found to have 2.3 times the earth’s diameter and 7.9 times the earth’s mass. For planets in this size range, computer models indicate a relationship between the planet’s density and composition:

Density Compared with That of the Earth	Composition
2-3 times	Mostly iron
0.9-2 times	Iron core with a rock mantle
0.4-0.9 times	Iron core with a rock mantle and some lighter elements, such as (water) ice
< 0.4 times	Hydrogen and/or helium gas

Based on S. Seager et al., “Mass-Radius Relationships for Solid Exoplanets”; arXiv:0707.2895 [astro-ph].

13.82 Based on these data, what is the most likely composition of this planet? (a) Mostly iron; (b) iron and rock; (c) iron and rock with some lighter elements; (d) hydrogen and helium gases.