The equatorial radius of Earth is approximately 6 × 10^3 km, while the equatorial radius of Saturn is approximately 6 × 10^4 km. Which of the following is true?

Question

A.
The equatorial radius of Earth is approximately one hundred times that of Saturn.

B.
The equatorial radius of Earth is approximately ten times that of Saturn.

C.
The equatorial radius of Saturn is approximately one hundred times that of Earth.

D.
The equatorial radius of Saturn is approximately ten times that of Earth.

Answer 1

To compare the radii of Earth and Saturn, we can use their approximate values:

• The equatorial radius of Earth: \(6 \times 10^3\) km
• The equatorial radius of Saturn: \(6 \times 10^4\) km

Now, if we divide the radius of Saturn by the radius of Earth to determine the ratio:

\[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{ \text{Radius of Saturn} }{ \text{Radius of Earth} } = \frac{6 \times 10^4 \text{ km}}{6 \times 10^3 \text{ km}} = \frac{6}{6} \times \frac{10^4}{10^3} = 1 \times 10^{4-3} = 10 \]

This means that the equatorial radius of Saturn is approximately ten times that of Earth.

Based on this calculation, the correct option is:

D. The equatorial radius of Saturn is approximately ten times that of Earth.