Which planet shows retrograde motion?
(A) Venus
(B) Mercury
(C) Jupiter
(D) Mars
Answer
637.5k+ views
Hint
Retrograde motion refers to backward motion of an object. If a planet exhibits this motion it would imply that the planet appears to move backwards from its original path for some interval of time.
Complete step by step answer
Many great civilisations and scientists have been interested in the study of astronomical objects and their behaviour. The earliest attempts made by humans in this endeavour where to find a model for our universe.
In this list, first came the geocentric model that proposed that the Earth was at the centre of the cosmos, and other stars and planets revolved around it in perfect circles. But as the instruments to observe the sky got better, this model evolved to the heliocentric model with the Sun at the centre and other planets orbiting it in circular motions. This model seemed to solve many astronomical problems at the time, but soon an inexplicable phenomenon was observed.
This was the retrograde motion of Mars. Mars seemed to move west to east against the fixed background of stars but then would mysteriously reverse direction for a short period of time before returning to the original path again. This problem was solved when Copernicus proposed an order of the planets.
Hence, from the above information we can see that the correct answer is option D: Mars.
Note
The retrograde motion occurs because the farther the planet is from the Sun, the slower it revolves around it. So, as Mars is farther than the Earth, at one point the slow-moving Mars is overtaken by the fast-moving Earth. So, the eastward motion of Mars seems to reverse direction for a small period of time.
Retrograde motion refers to backward motion of an object. If a planet exhibits this motion it would imply that the planet appears to move backwards from its original path for some interval of time.
Complete step by step answer
Many great civilisations and scientists have been interested in the study of astronomical objects and their behaviour. The earliest attempts made by humans in this endeavour where to find a model for our universe.
In this list, first came the geocentric model that proposed that the Earth was at the centre of the cosmos, and other stars and planets revolved around it in perfect circles. But as the instruments to observe the sky got better, this model evolved to the heliocentric model with the Sun at the centre and other planets orbiting it in circular motions. This model seemed to solve many astronomical problems at the time, but soon an inexplicable phenomenon was observed.
This was the retrograde motion of Mars. Mars seemed to move west to east against the fixed background of stars but then would mysteriously reverse direction for a short period of time before returning to the original path again. This problem was solved when Copernicus proposed an order of the planets.
Hence, from the above information we can see that the correct answer is option D: Mars.
Note
The retrograde motion occurs because the farther the planet is from the Sun, the slower it revolves around it. So, as Mars is farther than the Earth, at one point the slow-moving Mars is overtaken by the fast-moving Earth. So, the eastward motion of Mars seems to reverse direction for a small period of time.
Recently Updated Pages
Write any three differences between metals and nonmetals class 10 social science CBSE

Amit standing on a horizontal plane finds a bird flying class 10 maths CBSE

Two circles of radii 5 cm and 3 cm intersect at two class 10 maths CBSE

Solve the following i John and Jivanti together have class 10 maths CBSE

What is the relation between orthocenter circumcentre class 10 maths CBSE

Two plane mirrors are inclined at 70circ A ray incident class 10 physics CBSE

Trending doubts
Explain the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 class 10 social science CBSE

1 GB equals how many MB?

10 examples of evaporation in daily life with explanations

What is the full form of POSCO class 10 social science CBSE

Which is the hottest planet in the Solar system A Earth class 10 social science CBSE

Name any four life processes in living things class 10 biology CBSE

