In our Solar System, Uranus is one of the outer planets. Approximately how many Earth years does Uranus take to complete one full revolution around the Sun?

Introduction / Context:
Planetary motion around the Sun is a key topic in astronomy and general science. Each planet takes a different amount of time to complete one orbit because their distances from the Sun vary. Uranus is one of the outer gas giant planets, and its orbital period is much longer than that of Earth. This question checks whether you know how many Earth years Uranus needs to complete one revolution around the Sun.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are discussing the orbital period of Uranus around the Sun.
• Time is measured in Earth years.
• Options are 48, 84, 50, and 60 years.
• We assume standard astronomical values as taught in school level science.

Concept / Approach:
According to Kepler's third law, the square of a planet's orbital period is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the Sun. Outer planets are farther from the Sun and therefore have longer orbital periods. Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and orbits at a great distance, so it takes many Earth years to complete a single revolution. Standard astronomical data state that Uranus needs about 84 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun. Therefore, among the options given, 84 is the correct orbital period.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the order of planets from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Step 2: Understand that as we move outward, the orbital period increases because the orbit becomes larger and the gravitational pull is weaker. Step 3: Remember that Earth takes 1 year, Jupiter about 12 years, Saturn about 29 years, and Uranus about 84 years to orbit the Sun. Step 4: Compare this remembered value with the options 48, 84, 50, and 60. Step 5: Select 84 years as the correct orbital period of Uranus.

Verification / Alternative check:
Astronomy textbooks, planet fact sheets, and reliable educational websites all list the orbital period of Uranus as approximately 84 Earth years. Some sources give more precise values such as 84.01 years, but for school and competitive exam purposes, rounding to 84 years is standard. This consistency across multiple references confirms that 84 is the correct answer and eliminates doubt about other approximate values listed in the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
An orbital period of 48 years would place Uranus much closer to the Sun than it actually is and conflicts with established astronomical data, so option A is incorrect. Similarly, 50 and 60 years are too short for a planet at Uranus' distance; they may seem reasonable guesses but are not supported by observation, making options C and D wrong. Only 84 years matches the accepted orbital period of Uranus around the Sun.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse the orbital periods of different gas giants or guess based on rounded numbers without checking the actual value. Another pitfall is to assume a simpler pattern like doubling with each planet, which is not how Kepler's laws work. To avoid such mistakes, memorise a few key orbital periods: Jupiter about 12 years, Saturn about 29 years, Uranus about 84 years, and Neptune about 165 years. This makes answering related questions much easier.

Final Answer:
Uranus takes approximately 84 Earth years to complete one full orbit around the Sun.