Which celestial body is a typical example of a planet?

Earth serves as a quintessential example of a planet because it meets the defining criteria established by astronomers and planetary scientists. These criteria include having sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a nearly round shape, orbiting a star—in this case, the Sun—and having cleared its orbital path of other debris.

Earth embodies these characteristics; it is a sizeable celestial object that orbits the Sun, possesses a spherical shape due to its gravity, and has a set orbit that does not overlap significantly with the orbits of other large bodies. Moreover, it supports a diverse range of environments and life forms, showcasing its ability to maintain conditions suitable for life.

In contrast, the other options like the Sun, stars, and nebulae represent different types of celestial objects. The Sun is a star, which is a massive, glowing sphere of hot gas undergoing nuclear fusion. Stars differ from planets primarily in terms of their formation, composition, and the processes that govern their behavior. A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space and can give rise to stars and planets, but it is not a single solid or spherical body like a planet. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why Earth is classified as a planet,