A student studies the table to identify the factor that determines a planet's orbital velocity, which is the speed at which a planet orbits around a central body. Based on the table, which of the following can the student reasonably conclude?
A.
Distance from the Sun determines a planet's orbital velocity; planets closer to the Sun have a faster orbital velocity.
B.
Rotation period determines a planet's orbital velocity; planets with shorter days have a slower orbital velocity.
C.
Surface gravity of a planet determines its orbital velocity; planets with less gravity have a slower orbital velocity.
D.
Average density determines a planet's orbital velocity; planets with a lower density have a faster orbital velocity.
A. Distance from the Sun determines a planet's orbital velocity; planets closer to the Sun have a faster orbital velocity.
Based on the table, the student can reasonably conclude that Option A is correct:
A. Distance from the Sun determines a planet's orbital velocity; planets closer to the Sun have a faster orbital velocity.
This conclusion can be drawn from the fact that the table shows planets closer to the Sun have higher orbital velocities compared to planets farther away.
To determine which factor from the table determines a planet's orbital velocity, we need to analyze the given options and the information provided.
A. The student cannot reasonably conclude that distance from the Sun determines a planet's orbital velocity based on the table alone. Although distance from the Sun may affect a planet's orbital period (the time it takes for a planet to complete one orbit around the Sun), it may not directly determine its orbital velocity.
B. The student cannot reasonably conclude that rotation period determines a planet's orbital velocity based on the table. Although rotation period (the time it takes for a planet to complete one rotation on its axis) may have an effect on some factors related to orbital velocity, it may not be the determining factor.
C. The student cannot reasonably conclude that surface gravity determines a planet's orbital velocity based on the table provided. While surface gravity can be related to a planet's mass and mass affects orbital velocity, it does not directly determine orbital velocity.
D. The student can reasonably conclude that average density determines a planet's orbital velocity based on the table. By comparing the planets' densities, we can see that planets with lower densities (such as Venus) have higher orbital velocities, while those with higher densities (such as Earth and Mars) have lower orbital velocities.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. Average density determines a planet's orbital velocity; planets with lower density have a faster orbital velocity.