Question

Space probes are routinely launched from Earth to explore other planets. Consider the distance these planets are from the Sun and each other. A probe is launched from Earth. Which planet listed here, would the probe reach in the shortest amount of time, based only on distance? Q: A: A) Jupiter B) Mars C) Mercury D) Saturn

Answer 1

C) Mercury

Step-by-step explanation:

The distance between the planets often changes because the speed and shape of the orbit between them makes them assume positions very different from each other. Although Venus and Mars are the Earth's neighboring planets, their orbit makes them, most of the time, take a distance away from Earth.

Among the planets of the solar system, Mercury has an orbit that allows it to spend most of its time closer to Earth than the other planets. This causes a probe that originates from the earth to arrive faster on mercury than on jupiter, mars or saturn.