Gravity varies directly as the mass, but inversely as the square of the radius, and for this reason a large planet of small density may exercise a less force of gravity at its surface than does a small planet of great density.
The mean distance of Uranus from the sun is about 1,780,000,000 miles, and its period of revolution is eighty-four years; Neptune's mean distance is about 2,800,000,000 miles, and its period of revolution is about 164 years.
Uranus has four satellites, and Neptune one.

The remarkable thing about these satellites is that they revolve _backward_, or contrary to the direction in which all the other satellites belonging to the solar system revolve, and in which all the other planets rotate on their axis.
In the case of Uranus, the plane in which the satellites revolve is not far from a position at right angles to the plane of the ecliptic; but in the case of Neptune, the plane of revolution of the satellites is tipped much farther backward.

Since in every other case the satellites of a planet are situated nearly in the plane of the planet's equator, it may be assumed that the same rule holds with Uranus and Neptune; and, that being so, we must conclude that those planets rotate backward on their axes.

This has an important bearing on the nebular hypothesis of the origin of the solar system, and at one time was thought to furnish a convincing argument against that hypothesis; but it has been shown that by a modification of Laplace's theory the peculiar behavior of Uranus and Neptune can be reconciled with it.
Very little is known of the surfaces of Uranus and Neptune.

Indications of the existence of belts resembling those of Jupiter have been found in the case of both planets.