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Technically, the term is, "revolve" around the sun. ("Rotate" means to spin on its own axis.)

The earth revolves around the sun at an average rate of about 30 kilometers per second (about 18.5 miles per second). That means it moves a distances equal to its own diameter in a little over 7 minutes.

Planets farther from the sun revolve slower; planets closer to the sun revolve faster. Their speed is inversely proportional to the square root of their distance from the sun. You can use this formula:

V_planet = V_earth ⁄ sqrt(R_planet)

Where R_planet is the planet's distance from the sun, measured in astronomical units.

For Mars (R_mars = 1.52):

V_mars = V_earth ⁄ sqrt(1.52) = 24 km/sec

2007-10-16 08:23:22 · answer #1 · answered by RickB 7 · 0 0

The Earth is closer to the sun than Mars so it will rotate faster. Planets like Mercury and Venus, which are nearer will rotate faster. Neptune and Saturn, further out, will be much slower.

2007-10-16 15:15:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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