Which of the following planets rotates the fastest?a)Earthb)Marsc)Jupi...
The correct answer is option 'C' - Jupiter.
Jupiter is the fastest rotating planet in our solar system. Let's explore why Jupiter rotates the fastest compared to other planets:
Rotation Period:
- The rotation period of a planet refers to the time it takes for the planet to complete one full rotation on its axis.
- Jupiter has a rotation period of about 9.9 hours, which means it completes one full rotation in less than 10 hours.
- This makes Jupiter the fastest rotating planet among all the planets in our solar system.
Factors affecting rotation:
Several factors contribute to the rotation speed of a planet. Let's discuss some of these factors:
1. Mass:
- The mass of a planet plays a significant role in determining its rotation speed.
- Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a mass more than 2.5 times that of all the other planets combined.
- The large mass of Jupiter results in a faster rotation speed.
2. Conservation of angular momentum:
- Angular momentum refers to the rotational momentum of a planet.
- According to the principle of conservation of angular momentum, when no external torque is acting on a rotating object, its angular momentum remains constant.
- As Jupiter formed, it accumulated a large amount of gas and dust, which contributed to its mass and angular momentum.
- The conservation of angular momentum caused Jupiter to rotate faster as it contracted and became more compact over time.
3. Gas giants and rapid rotation:
- Jupiter is a gas giant, meaning it is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium gases.
- Gas giants tend to have faster rotation speeds compared to terrestrial planets like Earth and Mars.
- This is because the gases in the planet's atmosphere can freely move and are not bound by solid surfaces, allowing them to rotate more rapidly.
In conclusion, Jupiter rotates the fastest among the given options due to its large mass, the conservation of angular momentum, and its status as a gas giant.
Which of the following planets rotates the fastest?a)Earthb)Marsc)Jupi...
Jupiter is the planet which rotates the fastest. It takes only 10 hours to complete one rotation.
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