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Introduction[]

Ice giants are considerably larger than terrestrial planets and they are composed mainly of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Although during the formation of ice giants most of the volatile compounds that are incorporated can be described as "ices", in later stages of their existence the volatiles are mainly found in the form of supercritical fluids.

Like gas giants, ice giants usually have a rocky core composed of silicates, iron and nickel at their centre. The bulk of the planet is usually located in the intermediate layer, which is referred to as mantle. The mantle comprises an extremely dense and hot mixture of water, ammonia and other volatiles. An atmosphere containing hydrogen, helium and methane gases sorrounds the mantle.

A more in-depth article on this subject: Ice giants

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