To determine which planet is an inner planet and which one is an outer planet based on the lengths of their days, let's examine some general characteristics about the rotational periods and their relation to planetary positions in the solar system.
1. Inner Planets: These are the planets located closer to the sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars in our solar system). Typically, inner planets have shorter day lengths. This is because they tend to rotate faster on their axes due to their smaller size and lesser moment of inertia.
2. Outer Planets: These are the planets located further from the sun (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune in our solar system). These planets generally have longer day lengths because they rotate more slowly. Their larger size and greater moment of inertia contribute to a slower rotation.
Given the lengths of the days in the provided table:
- Planet A has a day length of 16 hours.
- Planet B has a day length of 1,408 hours.
Step-by-Step Reasoning:
1. Analyze Planet A:
- The day length of 16 hours is relatively short.
2. Analyze Planet B:
- The day length of 1,408 hours is significantly longer.
3. Compare to General Characteristics:
- Shorter day lengths are characteristic of inner planets.
- Longer day lengths are characteristic of outer planets.
Based on these characteristics, we can conclude:
- Planet A: With its shorter day length of 16 hours, is more likely to be an inner planet.
- Planet B: With its significantly longer day length of 1,408 hours, is more likely to be an outer planet.
Conclusion:
- Inner Planet: Planet A (16 hours)
- Outer Planet: Planet B (1,408 hours)
Therefore, Planet A is an inner planet and Planet B is an outer planet.
