Question

The planet farthest from the sun is
A. Mercury
B. Venus
C. Neptune
D. Earth

Answer 1

Hint: List all the planets working out from closest to the sun towards farthest from the sun. The planet which is farthest from the sun is from the category of Jovian planets.

Complete step by step answer:
Our solar system is composed of eight planets and a dwarf planet. These eight planets starting from closest to the sun are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The dwarf planet after Neptune is Pluto revolving around the sun in relatively higher orbit.

We know that Mercury is closest to the sun. Therefore, the option (A) is incorrect. In our solar system, the next closest planet to the sun is Venus. Therefore, the option (B) is incorrect. Earth is the third closest planet to the sun. Therefore, the option (D) is incorrect.
Therefore, we see Neptune is the farthest from the sun.

So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Additional Information:
The eight planets are divided into two categories: terrestrial planets and Jovian planets. The first four inner planets are known as terrestrial planets while the last four planets are known Jovian planets. The last four planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are called Jovian planets due to their size. Jovian means Jupiter-like. We know that the terrestrial planets are composed of rocks while Jovian planets are gas giants. Most of the Jovian planets are made up of gases like helium, hydrogen and ammonia.

Note:
Students should know that Pluto was excluded from the category of planets by the International Astronomical Union in 2006. Even if Pluto is farthest from the sun, it is not the planet.