Neptune Questions

Our solar system comprises eight planets, stars, the Sun, 146 moons, comets, asteroids, and dwarf planets (such as Pluto). The eight planets in the solar system are Mercury, Earth, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Neptune is the fourth largest planet by its diameter, the third most massive planet, and the densest giant planet than others. Neptune is too far from the Sun, so no one knows much about it. Only a few research missions have attempted to explore it. It is an exciting planet. Neptune is the only planet in the Solar System which was discovered mathematically rather than experimentally.

In Roman mythology, Neptune was considered the god of the sea. The name ‘Neptune’ is given after the god of the sea because the planet looks blue. Galle and le Verrier first observed Neptune while solving the calculations based on the observed position of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Whenever the planet Neptune was studied by scientists, they observed that its orbit was not according to Newton’s law. Therefore, it was predicted that another distant planet would be disturbing the orbit of Uranus. Many years ago, in 1613, Galileo observed Neptune when it was very close to Jupiter. But Galileo felt it was just a star, so he did not pay much attention to it. On two consecutive nights, it was out of their field of view due to clouds in the sky. Voyager 2 is the spacecraft to have visited Neptune. All the information about Neptune that we know comes from one encounter only.

Read More – Neptune

Important Questions with Answers

1. What is the colour of planet Neptune and why?

Neptune’s colour is blue. This is because Neptune’s methane atmosphere absorbs red and infrared light.

2. Why is there no life on Neptune?

The temperature, pressure and material on the planet Neptune are too unstable for all living things. For life to exist, the planet must have a permanent source of liquid water as well as a source of energy. There is no source of water and energy on Neptune. The temperature of Neptune is freezing, about 55 Kelvin. In no way can liquid water exist at this temperature. This is why there is no life on Neptune.

3. What cloud does Neptune have?

In our solar system, Neptune is located far away from the Sun, and it receives a tiny amount of thermal energy. Because of this, Neptune is an icy and very cold planet as compared to other planets. The white clouds of Neptune are formed of frozen methane. Such white clouds may be observed near Neptune’s dark region, similar to Jupiter’s red eye, where storms occur. Storms on Neptune are much more intense than on the Earth, with wind speeds reaching 700 miles per hour. The remaining atmosphere of Neptune is made up of hydrogen, helium, and methane. Furthermore, the colour of the planets Neptune and Uranus is generated by methane in the atmosphere.

4. On Neptune, one day is equal to_______.

1. 24 hours and 6 minutes
2. 16 hours and 6 minutes
3. 6 hours and 16 minutes
4. 24 hours and 16 minutes

Answer: b. 16 hours and 6 minutes

Explanation: Neptune’s day seems to last exactly 16 hours, which is the time it takes to complete one rotation around the Sun. In other words, Neptune completes its orbit around the Sun in around 165 Earth years.

5. Do tornadoes exist on Neptune?

Neptune has the most vital wind flow in the solar system, and the researchers questioned how the new storm managed to stay together across a wide range of latitudes. According to one explanation, the entire storm must be anchored by a massive tornado-like vortex because Neptune has distinct winds at different latitudes.

6. How many rings does Neptune have?

Neptune has known six rings. These rings are difficult to see because they are dark. Neptune’s rings are much younger than our solar system.

7. Is it possible for a human to stand on Neptune?

If you tried to stand on Neptune, you’d sink through the gaseous layers. If a human tries to descend, they will feel an increase in temperature and pressure until they reach the solid core.

8. Neptune takes around __________ to complete one rotation around the sun.

1. 365 Earth years
2. 667 Earth years
3. 165 Earth years
4. 177 Earth years

Answer: c. 165 Earth years

Explanation: Neptune completes its orbit around the Sun, a year in Neptunian time, in approximately 165 Earth years or 60,190 Earth days.

9. Who first observed Neptune?

1. Sir Issac Newton and Johann Gottfried Galle
2. Johann Gottfried Galle and Urbain Le Verrier
3. Sir Issac Newton and Urbain Le Verrier
4. Sir Issac Newton and Galileo Galilei

Answer: Johann Gottfried Galle and Urbain Le Verrier

Explanation: Johann Gottfried Galle and Urbain Le Verrier were the first to observe Neptune.

10. Neptune’s composition is similar to Jupiter’s ice and rock, with around 50% hydrogen and a little helium.

1. True
2. False

Answer: b. False

Explanation- Neptune’s composition is similar to Uranus’ ice and rock, with around 15% hydrogen and a little helium.

Practice Questions

1. The winds of Neptune are the fastest in the solar system, reaching speeds of 2000 km/hr.

A. True
B. False

2. What are the various stages of a star’s life cycle?
3. What are the characteristics of Neptune?
4. What is the reason for the planets not twinkling?
5. Why is Pluto not a planet?

Watch the video below to learn more about Pluto and Ice Giants.

Stay tuned to BYJU’S for more exciting questions with solutions. Register for “BYJU’S – The Learning App” as well as for a wide variety of interactive, engaging Physics-related videos.