Ellipses and Kepler's Laws

Front

What shape do planets orbit the Sun in?

Back

Ellipse

Front

What is the period of the Earth's orbit around the Sun?

Back

1 year

Front

What happens to a planet's speed when it is farthest from the Sun?

Back

It moves slower.

Front

What is Kepler's First Law?

Back

Planets travel in an ellipse.

Front

What is Kepler's Second Law?

Back

A line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.

Front

What is Kepler's Third Law?

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

What is the focus of an ellipse?

Back

One of the two fixed points used to define an ellipse.

Front

What is perihelion?

Back

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

Front

What is aphelion?

Back

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

Front

Which of the following is NOT one of Kepler's laws?

Back

Planets revolve around the Earth.