When people refer to a planet as a "gas planet," they are typically describing a planet that consists primarily of gases and does not have a solid surface like Earth. Jupiter is often referred to as a gas planet because it is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium gases, with small amounts of other compounds.
Unlike rocky planets like Earth, which have a solid surface made up of rocks and minerals, gas planets are predominantly composed of gases that are not in a solid or liquid state. Their atmospheres extend for thousands of kilometers and gradually become denser toward the planet's core. The exact composition and structure of gas planets can vary, but they typically consist of hydrogen, helium, and trace amounts of other elements and compounds.
Gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn have dense atmospheres that transition into layers of metallic hydrogen and other exotic states of matter as you move towards their cores. These planets are often characterized by their immense size, powerful storms, and complex atmospheric dynamics.
It's important to note that the term "gas planet" is a general description used to distinguish these types of planets from rocky planets like Earth, Mars, and Venus. However, the distinction between gas planets and ice giants (such as Uranus and Neptune) is not always clear-cut, as ice giants have significant amounts of icy compounds in their atmospheres.