Is Pluto a planet?

Pluto is officially no longer classed as a planet, and here's why. The International Astronomical Union defined three rules in 2005 that a celestial body (an object observable within space) must follow to be classed as a planet:

1. The planet must orbit the sun.
2. The planet must be large enough that its gravity can smooth it into a nice spherical shape.
3. It must have cleared up the surrounding objects around it.
Pluto fails number three as it simply isn't massive enough to pull the surrounding objects into it's orbit. This is really hard for Pluto as it lives in the Kuiper Belt, a belt of other large rocky objects.
Fortunately for Pluto it matches the first two rules, so it can be classed as a dwarf planet instead!

CG
Answered by Connor G. Physics tutor

3625 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

The radius of the Earth is 6,400km and has a mass of 6x10^24kg. Calculate the minimum velocity needed by a projectile, fired from the surface of the Earth in order to escape the Earths gravity.


If a ball is thrown on the Moon, the projectile would have a greater range than if it were to have been thrown on Earth. Why is this the case?


What are the differences between standing waves and progressive waves?


Explain how an acceleration-displacement graph could be used to determine the frequency of oscillation of a metal plate.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning