MCQ Detailed View

Planetary rotation refers to the movement of a planet around its axis. Most planets in the solar system rotate from west to east, a direction known as prograde rotation. However, a few planets rotate in the opposite direction, from east to west, which is called retrograde rotation.

In our solar system, the planets that exhibit retrograde rotation are Venus and Uranus. Venus rotates very slowly on its axis, taking about 243 Earth days to complete one rotation, and its motion is opposite to most other planets. Uranus is unique because it rotates on its side, with an axial tilt of approximately 98 degrees, making it appear to spin from east to west as well.

The direction of rotation affects several planetary phenomena, including day length, weather patterns, and the motion of satellites in orbit. Most planets like Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, and Earth rotate from west to east, following prograde rotation, which is consistent with the initial rotation of the solar nebula from which the planets formed.

Retrograde rotation in Venus may have been caused by tidal interactions with the Sun or collisions with other celestial bodies during the early formation of the solar system. Uranus’ extreme tilt is likely due to a massive impact early in its history, which altered its rotation axis significantly.

Understanding planetary rotation helps students grasp fundamental concepts in Physics and Astronomy, including motion, gravitational forces, and the dynamics of celestial bodies. Knowledge of which planets rotate east to west is important in studying solar system mechanics and the behavior of planets in relation to the Sun and other celestial objects.