answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

As you might guess, it's partly an issue of size, with dwarf planets being smaller. But just how big does a planet need to be to become a full-fledged planet instead of a dwarf? You might think the minimum size requirement is arbitrary, but the size cutoff is actually based on other properties of the object and its history in the Solar System.

Both planets and dwarf planets orbit the Sun, not other planets (in which case we call them moons). Both must be large enough that their own gravity pulls them into the shapes of spheres; this rules out numerous smaller bodies like most asteroids, many of which have irregular shapes. Planets clear smaller objects out of their orbits by sucking the small bodies into themselves or flinging them out of orbit. Dwarf planets, with their weaker gravities, are unable to clear out their orbits.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the difference between Planets and Dwarf Planets?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the size comparison between planets and dwarf planets?

Well planets are normal sized and so the word dwarf means small minature so obviously their is a HUGE difference.


What is the difference between dwarf planets and regular planets?

Dwarf planets are smaller than regular planets. Dwarf planets are smaller than the 8 major planets of our solar system. They are not quite planets as they have not cleared their orbit of sufficient matter. They are roughly spherical in shape and orbit the sun directly, so fulfil these two criteria, but have not achieved the third (sufficiently clearing their orbits).


What is the different between ordinary planets and dwarf planets?

ordinary planets are a big part of the solar system dwarf planets aren't that important they are considered like stars or asteroids but mainly dwarf planets


What is one difference of dwarf planets and asteroids?

asteroids are small chunks of rock which move in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter while dwarf planets like Pluto have a centrifugal force and orbit the sun.


What is difference between Classical planet and a dwarf planet?

Pluto is a Dwarf Planet because it is too small to be a Classical Planet. Dwarf Planets are much smaller than Classical Planets. If you look at a diagram of the solar system with Pluto in it, you will see that it is much smaller compared to the other Classical Planets.


What is the different between a planet and a dwarf planet?

the planet is one of the gases planet.. and the dwarf planets are small planets..


What is the ring of planets is between the planets Mars and Jupiter?

There is no ring of planets between them it's astroids and the dwarf plant Ceres.


What is the difference between a true planet and a dwarf planet?

The difference is that a dwarf planet is not or no longer a true planet.To be a true planet it must fit these criteria:1.Orbit the Sun2. Be spherical(rounded shape)3. Be able to clear its path of any objects in the way such as debrisPluto was unable to fit these criteria so is now a dwarf planet :)


How are inner planets similar to dwarf planets?

The other planets are not similar to dwarf planets.


How are the inner planets similar to dwarf planets?

The other planets are not similar to dwarf planets.


Celestial body between mars and Jupiter?

Asteroids (also sometimes called "minor planets"). These are not the "dwarf planets", except for Ceres, which is a dwarf planet.


What is the name of our dwarf planets?

our dwarf planets are Pluto