Keplers Laws

Front

What is Kepler's First Law?

Back

Kepler's First Law states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one of the foci.

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What is the definition of eccentricity in an orbit?

Back

Eccentricity is a measure of how much an orbit deviates from being circular. It ranges from 0 (circle) to 1 (parabola).

Front

What does an eccentricity of 0 indicate?

Back

An eccentricity of 0 indicates a perfect circle.

Front

What does an eccentricity of 1 indicate?

Back

An eccentricity of 1 indicates a parabolic trajectory.

Front

What is Kepler's Second Law?

Back

Kepler's Second Law states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.

Front

What is the significance of the foci in an ellipse?

Back

The foci are two fixed points in an ellipse that help define its shape; the sum of the distances from any point on the ellipse to the foci is constant.

Front

What is Kepler's Third Law?

Back

Kepler's Third Law states that the square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

Front

How does a planet's speed vary in its orbit?

Back

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

Front

What is the perihelion?

Back

The perihelion is the point in the orbit of a planet where it is closest to the Sun.

Front

What is the aphelion?

Back

The aphelion is the point in the orbit of a planet where it is farthest from the Sun.