In how many orbits do the 8 planets revolve around the sun?

In the atom of oxygen, similar to our solar system, the electrons revolve in two orbits (shells) around the nucleus. Do the planets in our solar system also revolve around the sun in two “shells”?

Asker: Peter, 81 years old

Answer

The eight planets revolve in eight orbits around the sun. And if there were a hundred planets, it would be in a hundred orbits.

The analogy with atoms is somewhat misleading. Comparing an atom with a nucleus and electrons to the sun with planets around it only makes sense to a certain extent. On the small scale of atoms, the fact that the energy (and thus the ‘orbits’) of the electrons can only take on a limited number of values, plus the impossibility of two electrons occupying the same energy level, plays a role in the ordering of the atoms. occupation of energy levels.

Such effects play no role for the macroscopic world of stars and planets. Which does not mean that everything is possible there. Because due to the mutual attraction of the planets, not all configurations are stable. But what is possible and what is not, follows a different logic.

In how many orbits do the 8 planets revolve around the sun?

Answered by

Prof. dr. Christopher Waelkens

Astronomy

Catholic University of Leuven
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/

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