4th Fall24 Understanding Our Solar System

Front

What is the eccentricity of Earth's orbit?

Back

0.017

Front

How does Kepler's 3rd law relate the distance of a planet to its orbital period?

Back

The farther the planet from its star, the slower it moves, the longer its year.

Front

What shape describes the orbit of Earth?

Back

Nearly circular.

Front

Which of Kepler’s laws states that planets move faster when they are closer to the sun?

Back

Kepler's 2nd law.

Front

What surface process contributes to stability on a planet's surface?

Back

No atmosphere.

Front

Define eccentricity in the context of planetary orbits.

Back

Eccentricity measures the deviation of an orbit from a perfect circle.

Front

What is Kepler's 1st law?

Back

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

Front

What does Kepler's 2nd law imply about a planet's speed?

Back

A planet sweeps out equal areas in equal times, moving faster when closer to the sun.

Front

What is the significance of a planet's orbital period?

Back

It is the time taken for a planet to complete one full orbit around the sun.

Front

How does the distance from the sun affect a planet's year?

Back

The farther a planet is from the sun, the longer its year.