Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Solar System and Planets

In our solar system, a planet's orbital period increases with its average distance from the Sun. Arrange the following planets in order of their orbital period (the time required to complete one revolution around the Sun), from shortest to longest.

  1. 1Venus
  2. 2Mars
  3. 3Saturn
  4. 4Neptune

Answer

Venus, Mars, Saturn, Neptune
A planet's year (orbital period) lengthens the farther it is from the Sun. Among the choices, Venus is closest at approximately 0.72 AU (orbital period ~225 days), followed by Mars at ~1.52 AU (~687 days), Saturn at ~9.54 AU (~29.5 years), and Neptune at ~30.06 AU (~165 years). Therefore, the correct sequence from shortest to longest period is Venus, Mars, Saturn, Neptune.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the physical relationship governing orbital period.
Orbital period is directly proportional to a planet's average distance from the Sun (semi-major axis).
Planets closer to the Sun experience stronger gravitational pull and have smaller orbital paths, resulting in shorter orbital periods.
2
Order the given planets by increasing distance from the Sun.
Venus (0.72 AU) < Mars (1.52 AU) < Saturn (9.54 AU) < Neptune (30.06 AU).
Terrestrial planets orbit inside the asteroid belt, while gas and ice giants occupy the outer solar system.
3
Correlate each planetary distance to its respective revolution time.
Venus (225 days) < Mars (687 days) < Saturn (29.5 years) < Neptune (165 years).
This establishes the exact sequence from shortest orbital period to longest.

Key Concept

Planetary distance and orbital period relationship in the Solar System
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

The Solar System and Planets

More questions from this topic