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Since the gravitational effect of the Sun decreases with distance from it, the planets farther from the Sun do not have to move as rapidly to remain in orbit. (In fact, the speed is what establishes the orbit, not the other way around.)

So the outer planets, in addition to having much farther to travel in their orbits, are also moving more slowly. This combination means that outer planets take very much longer to orbit the Sun than do the inner planets such as Earth.

By comparison, the length of time it takes (in Earth years) for each of the outer planets to make one complete revolution around the Sun:

Jupiter - 11.9 Earth years

Saturn - 29.5 Earth years

Uranus - 84 Earth years

Neptune - 165 Earth years

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How does a planets distance from the sun affect the planets orbit speed?

A planet's distance from the sun affects its orbit speed through Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion. The closer a planet is to the sun, the faster it travels in its orbit. This is because the sun's gravitational pull is stronger closer to the sun, causing the planet to move faster to maintain its orbital balance.


Why do planets further from the sun take longer to orbit?

Planets further from the sun have larger orbits, which means they have to travel a greater distance in their orbit. Since they are farther away, the gravitational force from the sun is weaker, causing them to move slower in their orbit. This combination of a greater distance to travel and slower speed results in longer orbital periods for these planets.


What shape describes the paths that planets follow?

The planets orbit the sun in an ellipse, like a squashed circle. The amount by which the ellipse is deformed by, from being a circle, is referred to as the eccentricity. An object with a highly eccentric orbit, such as a comet, will have a very elongated and stretched out orbit, its distance from the sun throughout its orbit will vary by a lot.


The speed of a planet in its orbit around the Sun depends primarily on the planet's?

The speed of a planet in its orbit around the Sun primarily depends on the planet's distance from the Sun. Planets closer to the Sun move faster in their orbits compared to planets farther away due to the gravitational pull of the Sun. The mass of the planet also plays a minor role in determining its orbital speed.


Do the planets travel at the same speed?

No, planets do not all travel at the same speed. The speed at which a planet moves in its orbit around the Sun depends on its distance from the Sun and its mass. Closer planets tend to move faster than those further away.

Related Questions

How does a planets distance from the sun affect the planets orbit speed?

A planet's distance from the sun affects its orbit speed through Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion. The closer a planet is to the sun, the faster it travels in its orbit. This is because the sun's gravitational pull is stronger closer to the sun, causing the planet to move faster to maintain its orbital balance.


How is a planets distance from the sun affects its velocity?

The farther a planet is from the sun the slower its orbit speed.


Why are the planets going in different speed?

The speed that an object travels in its orbit depends on its distance from the sun. That's how gravity works.


How does the suns gravitational pull affect the speed which the planets orbit?

When the pull is stronger, they move quicker.


How does the suns gravitational pull affect the speed at which planets orbit?

When the pull is stronger, they move quicker.


Why do planets further from the sun take longer to orbit?

Planets further from the sun have larger orbits, which means they have to travel a greater distance in their orbit. Since they are farther away, the gravitational force from the sun is weaker, causing them to move slower in their orbit. This combination of a greater distance to travel and slower speed results in longer orbital periods for these planets.


Where in our solar system are the planets which orbit fastest?

The closer planets are to the Sun the faster their orbit speed


Which planet moves the most slowly in its orbit?

Of the major planets, Neptune. The speed of planets in their orbits is directly related to their distance from the sun. The farther a planet is from the Sun, the slower its orbital speed.


Why does a planets distance from the sun change?

To be in a perfect orbit around the Sun, maintaining always the same distance, at a specific distance a planet would need a very specific speed. Since it is unlikely that it just happens to have the correct speed, it will move around the Sun in an ellipse instead.


What shape describes the paths that planets follow?

The planets orbit the sun in an ellipse, like a squashed circle. The amount by which the ellipse is deformed by, from being a circle, is referred to as the eccentricity. An object with a highly eccentric orbit, such as a comet, will have a very elongated and stretched out orbit, its distance from the sun throughout its orbit will vary by a lot.


How does distance and time affect the speed from object?

Distance and time do not, in general, affect the speed. Speed, however, can affect distance or time. Distance is directly proportional to speed, time is inversely proportional.


The speed of a planet in its orbit around the Sun depends primarily on the planet's?

The speed of a planet in its orbit around the Sun primarily depends on the planet's distance from the Sun. Planets closer to the Sun move faster in their orbits compared to planets farther away due to the gravitational pull of the Sun. The mass of the planet also plays a minor role in determining its orbital speed.