Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Jupiter
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Planets in our solar system differ widely in size, composition and number of moons. Gas giants tend to have many moons, while inner rocky planets have few or none. In many school level textbooks and general knowledge exams, Jupiter is presented as the planet with the largest number of moons among the common options, even though new discoveries sometimes change exact counts.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Traditional general knowledge and earlier astronomical data list Jupiter as having the most moons among the planets commonly discussed in school. Although modern research now shows that Saturn has an even larger number of moons, Saturn is not given as an option in this question. Therefore, the correct choice must be the planet among the listed options that has the greatest number of known moons, which is Jupiter.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Venus has no moons at all.
Step 2: Remember that Uranus and Neptune have several moons but are not usually described as having the largest number overall.
Step 3: Identify Jupiter as a giant planet famous for its many moons, including the four large Galilean moons.
Step 4: Compare the four options and select Jupiter as the planet with the most moons among them.
Step 5: Accept that newer discoveries about Saturn do not affect this multiple choice question because Saturn is not listed.
Verification / Alternative check:
Basic astronomy sources describe Jupiter as having dozens of moons, such as Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Uranus and Neptune also have moons, but their counts are lower in most introductory references. Venus has zero moons, so it can be eliminated immediately. In exam settings, when asked which planet has the most moons and Saturn is not among the choices, Jupiter is the accepted answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, Uranus, does have many moons but not as many as Jupiter in standard textbook counts.
Option b, Venus, has no moons and therefore clearly cannot have the most.
Option d, Neptune, has fewer moons than Jupiter and is not typically highlighted for having the largest number of moons in the solar system.
Common Pitfalls:
A learner who is aware of recent discoveries might think of Saturn as the planet with the most moons, which is true in current research. However, since Saturn does not appear among the options, choosing it would not be possible. The safe approach is to focus only on the planets listed in the question and select the one with the highest moon count among those choices.
Final Answer:
Among the planets listed in this question, Jupiter has the largest number of known moons.
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