Volatile elements have a generally low boiling point and vaporize at lower temperatures. Gases and liquids at room temperature (like water, methane, and the like) are classified as volatiles.
Refractory elements have a higher boiling point and therefore vaporize at higher temperatures. Metals, carbon, silicon and similar material are generally refractory.
This is why the terrestrial planets have higher densities than the Jovian planets as they formed closer to the Sun than the Jovian planets. But Jovian planets are larger as they were able to accumulate more volatile elements as they formed.
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