Unit 3 flashcard

Front

What is the direction of a planet moving counterclockwise in its orbit?

Back

Counterclockwise is the standard direction of planetary motion in the solar system.

Front

What are the Terrestrial Planets?

Back

The Terrestrial Planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, characterized by their rocky surfaces.

Front

Which planet is known for the Great Red Spot?

Back

Jupiter is known for the Great Red Spot, a massive storm that has been ongoing for hundreds of years.

Front

What does Kepler's 2nd Law state about the motion of comets?

Back

Kepler's 2nd Law states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time, meaning comets spend more time far from the Sun.

Front

How does a planet's speed change as it moves away from the Sun?

Back

A planet moves slower when it is farthest from the Sun.

Front

What is the significance of eccentric orbits in celestial mechanics?

Back

Eccentric orbits result in varying speeds of celestial bodies, affecting their distance from the Sun and other planets.

Front

Define angular momentum in the context of planetary motion.

Back

Angular momentum is the quantity of rotation of a body, which is conserved in the absence of external torques.

Front

What is the difference between inner and outer planets?

Back

Inner planets (Terrestrial) are rocky and closer to the Sun, while outer planets (Gas Giants) are larger and composed mainly of gases.

Front

What is the primary characteristic of gas giants?

Back

Gas giants, like Jupiter and Saturn, are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium and lack a well-defined solid surface.

Front

Explain the term 'orbital eccentricity'.

Back

Orbital eccentricity measures the deviation of an orbit from circularity; a value of 0 indicates a perfect circle.