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Visual guide to the solar system showing planets and their orbital periods around the Sun.

Diagram of the solar system showing the Sun and planets with their orbital periods, illustrating how longer years correspond to greater distance from the Sun.

Diagram of the solar system showing the Sun and planets with their orbital periods, illustrating how longer years correspond to greater distance from the Sun.

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Show Answer Key & Explanations Step-by-step solution for: Solar System

Problem Description:


The image provides information about the solar system, including the planets and their orbital periods around the Sun. The task is to analyze the data and explain the relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and its orbital period.

Solution Explanation:



#### Step 1: Understanding the Key Information
- Solar System Overview: The solar system consists of the Sun and the planets that orbit it. The planets are listed in order from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Orbital Periods: The time it takes for a planet to complete one orbit around the Sun is called its orbital period or year. This period varies depending on the planet's distance from the Sun.
- Distance and Orbital Period Relationship: The farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer it takes to complete one orbit. This relationship is a fundamental principle in astronomy, described by Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion.

#### Step 2: Analyzing the Data
The image provides the orbital periods of each planet in Earth years or days:
- Mercury: 88 days
- Venus: 224 days
- Earth: 365 days
- Mars: 687 days
- Jupiter: 11.8 years
- Saturn: 29.8 years
- Uranus: 84.3 years
- Neptune: 165 years

#### Step 3: Observing the Pattern
From the data:
- Closer Planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars): These planets are closer to the Sun and have shorter orbital periods. For example, Mercury, being the closest planet, has the shortest orbital period (88 days).
- Farther Planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune): These planets are farther from the Sun and have much longer orbital periods. For example, Neptune, being the farthest planet, has the longest orbital period (165 years).

#### Step 4: Explaining the Relationship
The relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and its orbital period can be explained using Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion. This law states that the square of the orbital period (\(T\)) of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis (\(a\)) of its orbit:
\[
T^2 \propto a^3
\]
In simpler terms:
- A planet farther from the Sun has a larger orbit (larger \(a\)).
- A larger orbit means the planet must travel a greater distance to complete one orbit.
- Since the gravitational force from the Sun decreases with distance, the planet moves more slowly in its orbit.
- As a result, the farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer it takes to complete one orbit.

#### Step 5: Conclusion
The data and the observed pattern confirm that the farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer it takes to orbit the Sun. This is consistent with Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion, which mathematically describes this relationship.

Final Answer:


\[
\boxed{\text{The farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer it takes for it to orbit the Sun.}}
\]
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of planets worksheet pdf.
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