Zonal winds on the giant planets are stronger than those on the terrestrial planets because a. they have more thermal energy. b. the giant planets rotate faster. c. the moons of giant planets provide additional pull. d. the moons feed energy to the planet through the magnetosphere

Giant planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune rotate much faster than terrestrial planets like Earth, Venus, and Mars. For example, Jupiter completes one rotation in about 10 hours. Fast rotation speeds lead to stronger centrifugal forces, shaping the planets more like oblate spheroids rather than perfect spheres. This rapid rotation influences the atmospheric dynamics significantly.

When a planet spins quickly, it generates larger Coriolis forces, which strongly affect the winds. These forces cause atmospheric particles to move in paths that seem curved when observed from the planet's surface. Fast rotation directly translates to higher wind speeds, contributing to the comprehensive system of zonal winds on giant planets.

Comparative planetology is the study of planets by comparing the characteristics of different planets—or moons—within our solar system and beyond. By comparing giant planets to terrestrial planets, we gain insights into their atmospheric phenomena, like zonal winds.

Giant planets have extensive atmospheres made mostly of hydrogen and helium, which differ vastly from the thin atmospheres of terrestrial planets that are largely composed of nitrogen and oxygen. The thick atmospheres and rapid rotations of giant planets make them excellent candidates for studying powerful zonal winds. On the other hand, terrestrial planets like Earth exhibit weaker zonal winds due to slower rotation and thinner atmospheres, highlighting the importance of these factors in atmospheric dynamics.

The Coriolis effect is a crucial factor for understanding wind patterns on rotating planets. It describes how moving air is deflected due to the planet's rotation, creating curved paths for atmospheric circulation.

The intensity of the Coriolis effect is directly linked to the planet's rotation speed. On fast-rotating giant planets, the Coriolis effect is much stronger, leading to intense and large-scale zonal winds. Air particles deflected due to the Coriolis effect move from high-pressure to low-pressure areas, resulting in distinct wind belts.

On terrestrial planets, where rotation is slower, the Coriolis effect is weaker, and therefore, zonal winds are not as pronounced. This phenomenon illustrates why the rapid rotation of giant planets is a key reason they experience much stronger zonal winds compared to terrestrial counterparts.