In a word, physics. Physics provides us with a predictive model. We know the size, orbital distance, and gravity of the planet through empirical evidence and deduction, and in order to agree with our model of physics, which is the most accurate and successful model of physics so far, it tells us a lot about what must be the composition of the planet. Physics tells us that once a rocky core is large enough, as what likely happened with Jupiter, then it would have enough gravity to pull in an atmosphere, which will remain dense, and by its own virtue add to the mass and gravity of the planet. And in short order, as the mass of gas increases, the gravity increases, capturing more gas, that increases mass, increases gravity, captures more gas… The core of Jupiter is insignificant to its size and overall gravity. By far, the main contributor is all the gas that holds its own shape. You could pluck its core out, and Jupiter would still be a gas giant with the most substantial gravity in the solar system second only to the sun itself. Density and pressure is so high down there that if there was some way you could survive descending down into the gas, you would eventually stop part way down, as you would achieve neutral buoyancy with the gas surrounding you. Further down, hydrogen turns metallic. And solar bodies don’t need solids to get started. The first stars were gathered concentrations of gas alone.
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