Astronomy Practice Exam

How many Earth days does it take for Venus to complete one orbit around the sun?

1. 365 days

2. 243 days

3. 225 days

4. 500 days

The correct answer is: 225 days

Venus takes approximately 225 Earth days to complete one orbit around the Sun. This period is known as a Venusian year. The duration of a planet's orbit is determined by its distance from the Sun and the gravitational dynamics at play. In the case of Venus, it is the second planet from the Sun and orbits at an average distance that allows it to have a shorter orbital period compared to Earth, which takes 365 days. While Venus's rotation on its axis is very slow and takes about 243 Earth days, which is longer than its year, this distinction is crucial: the orbiting time refers to how long it takes to circle the Sun, not to complete a day-night cycle on the planet itself. Understanding these dynamics about orbital periods helps clarify why Venus's year is shorter than a year on Earth, emphasizing its unique position and physical characteristics in the solar system.