Explanation
Correct answer: B.
Choice B is the best answer because it correctly uses data from the table to illustrate the relationship between orbital and rotational periods described in the text. For Earth and each of four TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets, the table provides the orbital period and radius (in relation to the radius of Earth). The text explains that for each TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet, gravitational forces cause the rotational period (how long the planet takes to spin once on its axis) to equal the orbital period (how long the planet takes to orbit the star). According to the table, TRAPPIST-1e has an orbital period of 6.1 days. Since the text states that the orbital and rotational periods are equal for these planets, TRAPPIST-1e’s rotational period must also be 6.1 days.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because the table shows that TRAPPIST-1e has an orbital period (and thus a rotational period) of 6.1 days, not 1.51 days, which is the orbital period (and thus the rotational period) of TRAPPIST-1b. Furthermore, comparing the length of TRAPPIST-1e’s rotational period to those of the other exoplanets would not logically complete the example, which should illustrate how the orbital and rotational periods of a planet in TRAPPIST-1 are the same length.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because the table shows that TRAPPIST-1e has an orbital period (and thus a rotational period) of 6.1 days, not 9.21 days, which the table shows is the orbital period (and thus rotational period) of TRAPPIST-1f. Additionally, comparing the rotational periods of two exoplanets would not logically complete the example, which should illustrate how the orbital and rotational periods of a planet in TRAPPIST-1 are the same length.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because although it correctly identifies TRAPPIST-1e’s orbital period as 6.1 days, it incorrectly states that its rotational period is 0.92 days. This contradicts the text’s statement that the orbital and rotational periods are equal for TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets. The value 0.92 actually represents TRAPPIST-1e’s radius in relation to Earth’s radius, not its rotational period.