# Internal Structure of Giant and Icy Planets: Importance of Heavy Elements and Mixing

## TL;DR

This paper reviews current understanding of giant and icy planet interiors, emphasizing heavy elements and mixing, and discusses implications for planet formation, evolution, and exoplanet studies.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of how heavy elements influence planetary structure, formation, and evolution, integrating Solar System and exoplanet perspectives.

## Key findings

- Heavy elements significantly affect planetary internal structure.
- Models of giant planets incorporate heavy element distribution.
- Exoplanet observations help refine understanding of giant planet interiors.

## Abstract

In this chapter we summarize current knowledge of the internal structure of giant planets. We concentrate on the importance of heavy elements and their role in determining the planetary composition and internal structure, in planet formation, and during the planetary long-term evolution. We briefly discuss how internal structure models are derived, present the possible structures of the outer planets in the Solar System, and summarise giant planet formation and evolution. Finally, we introduce giant exoplanets and discuss how they can be used to better understand giant planets as a class of planetary objects.