In planetary science, volatiles, commonly called ices in the extraterrestrial context, are that group of compounds with low boiling points (see volatile) that are associated with a planet's or moon's crust and/or atmosphere. Planetary science, also known as planetology and closely related to planetary astronomy, is the Science of Planets or Planetary systems Volatility in the context of Chemistry, Physics and Thermodynamics is a measure of the tendency of a substance to Vaporize. Examples include nitrogen, water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen and methane, all compounds of C, H, O and/or N. Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Ammonia is a compound with the formula N[[hydrogen H3]] It is normally encountered as a Gas with a characteristic pungent Odor Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Methane is a Chemical compound with the molecular formula. It is the simplest Alkane, and the principal component of Natural gas. In terrestrial geology, the term more specifically refers to components of magma (mostly water vapor and carbon dioxide) that affect the appearance and strength of volcanoes. Magma (Plurals magmas and magmata) is molten rock that sometimes forms beneath the surface of the Earth (or any other Terrestrial planet General properties of water vapor Evaporation/sublimation Whenever a water molecule leaves a surface it is said to have evaporated Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the Volatiles affect the viscosity of the magma, and the tendency to explosive eruptions.

The term "ice" in this context can apply to compounds that may be solids, liquids or gases. Thus, Uranus and Neptune are called "ice giants", because they contain large amounts of methane and ammonia, despite the fact that neither planet contains more than trace amounts of solid ice. Neptune ( English|AmE] ] is the eighth and farthest Planet from the Sun in the Solar System. A gas giant (sometimes also known as a Jovian planet after the planet Jupiter, or giant planet) is a large Planet that is not primarily

The Earth's Moon is considered very low in volatiles: its crust contains oxygen chemically bound into the rocks (as eg silicates), but negligible amounts of hydrogen, nitrogen or carbon. For the Artificial intelligence Androids of the 1990s Science fiction series Space Above and Beyond, see Silicate (AI

For alternative meanings see also:

• Volatile

External links

• Glossary of planetary astronomy terms
• Volatiles of Costa Rican volcanoes.

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