Ellipses and Kepler's Laws

Front

What shape do the orbits of planets take according to Kepler's first law?

Back

Ellipses

Front

What is the central body in a heliocentric system?

Back

The Sun

Front

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

Back

Planets revolve around the Earth

Front

What does Kepler's second law state about the speed of planets?

Back

Planets closest to the sun travel faster.

Front

What is the relationship between the areas swept by a planet in its orbit?

Back

Both areas are equal in size.

Front

What is a focus in the context of an elliptical orbit?

Back

One of the two fixed points in an ellipse, with the Sun located at one focus.

Front

What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit closest to the Sun?

Back

Perihelion

Front

What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit farthest from the Sun?

Back

Aphelion

Front

How does the distance from the Sun affect a planet's orbital period?

Back

The farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer it takes to orbit.

Front

What is Kepler's third law?

Back

The square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.