Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion Flashcard

Front

What is Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion?

Back

Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.

Front

What does Kepler's Second Law state about a planet's speed?

Back

A planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun and slower when it is farther away.

Front

What is Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion?

Back

The square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

Front

Who was Tycho Brahe?

Back

A legendary astronomer whose precise observations of planetary positions helped Kepler formulate his laws.

Front

What is the semi-major axis in relation to a planet's orbit?

Back

The longest radius of an ellipse, representing the average distance from the planet to the Sun.

Front

What shape do planetary orbits take according to Kepler's First Law?

Back

Elliptical.

Front

What is orbital eccentricity?

Back

A measure of how much an orbit deviates from being circular.

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What is perihelion?

Back

The point in a planet's orbit where it is closest to the Sun.

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What is aphelion?

Back

The point in a planet's orbit where it is farthest from the Sun.

Front

How does the distance from the Sun affect a planet's orbital period?

Back

According to Kepler's Third Law, the greater the distance, the longer the orbital period.