Kepler's Laws

Front

What is Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion?

Back

A planet orbits the Sun in an elliptical shape, with the Sun at one of the foci.

Front

What does the term 'perihelion' refer to?

Back

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

Front

What does the term 'aphelion' refer to?

Back

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

Front

According to Kepler's Second Law, what happens to a planet's speed as it orbits the Sun?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of the areas swept out by a planet in its orbit?

Back

The areas swept out in equal time intervals are equal, indicating that a planet moves faster when closer to the Sun.

Front

What is Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion?

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

How does the mass of the Sun affect planetary orbits?

Back

The mass of the Sun creates a gravitational force that keeps the planets in orbit.

Front

What is the shape of a planet's orbit according to Kepler's First Law?

Back

Elliptical.

Front

What is the relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and its orbital speed?

Back

The closer a planet is to the Sun, the faster it moves in its orbit.

Front

What is the definition of 'focus' in the context of an elliptical orbit?

Back

A point in the center of an ellipse, where one of the foci is located.