Kepler's Laws

Front

What does Kepler's first law state about the shape of planetary orbits?

Back

The orbits of the planets are elliptical in shape.

Front

What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit where it is closest to the Sun?

Back

Perihelion.

Front

In an elliptical orbit, where is the Sun located?

Back

At one of the foci of the ellipse.

Front

What are the two fixed points around which an ellipse is drawn called?

Back

Foci.

Front

According to Kepler's second law, what can be said about the areas swept out by a planet in its orbit?

Back

The areas swept out in equal times are equal in size.

Front

What is the significance of Kepler's third law in relation to the orbital period of planets?

Back

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

Front

What is the semi-major axis in the context of an ellipse?

Back

The longest diameter of the ellipse, which runs through both foci.

Front

How does the eccentricity of an ellipse relate to its shape?

Back

Eccentricity measures how much an ellipse deviates from being circular; a value of 0 is a circle, while values closer to 1 indicate a more elongated shape.

Front

What is the relationship between the distance of a planet from the Sun and its orbital speed?

Back

Planets closer to the Sun move faster in their orbits than those further away.

Front

What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit where it is farthest from the Sun?

Back

Aphelion.