Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Mercury
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Each planet in the solar system has a different orbital period, which is the time it takes to complete one full revolution around the Sun. This question asks you to recall which planet has the shortest orbital period, approximately eighty eight days. Such facts are basic but important in astronomy and general science examinations.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
According to Kepler laws of planetary motion, planets that are closer to the Sun travel in smaller orbits and complete them in less time than planets farther away. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and therefore has the shortest orbital period of all planets, about 88 Earth days. Venus, Earth, Mars and the outer planets have progressively longer year lengths measured in Earth days.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the approximate orbital periods of the inner planets. Mercury takes about 88 days, Venus about 225 days, Earth about 365 days and Mars about 687 days.Step 2: The outer planets have even longer orbital periods. Jupiter takes about 12 Earth years, Saturn about 29 Earth years and so on, so they clearly cannot match an 88 day period.Step 3: Compare the 88 day value in the question with these known numbers. It matches Mercury year length.Step 4: Venus is the second closest planet but its orbital period is much longer than 88 days, so option E is not correct.Step 5: Therefore, the planet that takes 88 days to complete one revolution around the Sun is Mercury.
Verification / Alternative check:
Planetary data tables in textbooks and reference charts always list Mercury as the closest planet with the shortest year, around 88 Earth days. No other planet has an orbital period that is even close to this small value. Remembering the simple rule that proximity to the Sun means a shorter year helps verify the answer quickly without needing to memorise every exact number.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Saturn and Jupiter are giant planets far from the Sun, so their orbital periods are measured in many Earth years rather than days. Mars is beyond Earth and has a year almost twice as long as Earth year, so it cannot possibly complete an orbit in 88 days. Venus is closer to the Sun than Earth but still much farther than Mercury and therefore has a significantly longer orbital period.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse rotation period (length of a day on a planet) with revolution period (length of a year). Others may mix up the numbers associated with Mercury and Venus. To avoid these mistakes, remember that Mercury, as the innermost planet, has both a very short year and a slow rotation leading to unusual day night cycles. The 88 day figure is a signature value for Mercury orbit, not for any other planet.
Final Answer:
The planet that takes about 88 days to complete one revolution around the Sun is Mercury.
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