Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given planets in increasing order of their size (diameter) ?
[amp_mcq option1=”Mars – Venus – Earth – Mercury – Uranus” option2=”Mercury – Mars – Venus – Earth – Uranus” option3=”Mercury – Mars – Venus – Earth” option4=”Venus – Mercury – Mars – Earth – Uranus” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2016
To arrange the given planets in increasing order of their size (diameter), we need to know their relative sizes. The approximate diameters relative to Earth’s diameter are: Mercury (~0.38), Mars (~0.53), Venus (~0.95), Earth (1.00), Uranus (~4.0). Arranging these values in increasing order gives the sequence: Mercury < Mars < Venus < Earth < Uranus.
The sequence of planets from the Sun is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Their sizes vary, with the inner terrestrial planets being smaller than the outer gas/ice giants.