Kepler's Laws

Front

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

Back

Perihelion

Front

What does Kepler's 2nd Law state about a planet's motion?

Back

It deals with the speed/area the planet travels.

Front

What is the smallest terrestrial planet in our solar system?

Back

Mercury

Front

What are the primary components of Earth and the other inner planets?

Back

Rock

Front

What shape do the orbits of planets take according to Kepler's first law?

Back

Ellipses

Front

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

Back

Aphelion

Front

How does Kepler's 3rd Law relate the time a planet takes to orbit the Sun to its distance from the Sun?

Back

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

Front

What is the semi-major axis in an elliptical orbit?

Back

The longest radius of the ellipse, half the longest diameter.

Front

What is the significance of Kepler's Laws in astronomy?

Back

They describe the motion of planets and provide a foundation for understanding celestial mechanics.

Front

What is an ellipse?

Back

A geometric shape that looks like a stretched circle, defined by two focal points.