Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Review Guide

The answer is that the Earth-Sun distance would remain the same if the duration of a year on Earth became 400 days without any change in gravitational force.

The length of a year is primarily determined by how long it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun. This orbital period is influenced by the balance between the gravitational pull of the Sun and the centrifugal force due to Earth's motion. If gravitational forces remain unchanged, then the fundamental dynamics of this balance would not be altered just because the length of the year is increased to 400 days.

The shape and size of Earth's orbit are dictated by gravitational interactions, which depend on mass and distance. If these factors remain constant, then the average distance from the Earth to the Sun will not change as the duration of the orbit increases. The Earth would still maintain a stable orbit, meaning that the actual distance involved remains constant even though it takes longer to complete that orbit.