Question

Which planet is referred to as the "Swift" planet?

• A. Venus
• B. Mars
• C. Mercury
• D. Jupiter

Hint:

Mercury = Messenger + Speed → Think “Swift planet” for its quick orbit around the Sun.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Mercury is called the "Swift" planet because it has the shortest orbital period around the Sun of all the planets in the solar system. It takes only about 88 Earth days to complete one revolution. This fast movement across the sky, as observed from Earth, earned it the name "Swift."
Its close proximity to the Sun and its high orbital speed result in Mercury appearing to swiftly move across the sky. This is why ancient astronomers associated Mercury with speed and agility, often linking it to the Roman messenger god Mercury, who was known for his swiftness.
In comparison:

• Venus takes about 225 days — slower than Mercury.
• Mars takes about 687 days.
• Jupiter, being a gas giant farther from the Sun, takes nearly 12 Earth years.