Unit 4 LS2: Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion Review

Front

What is Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion?

Back

Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.

Front

What is Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion?

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 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 (T² = a³).

Front

What does eccentricity measure in an orbit?

Back

Eccentricity measures the deviation of an orbit from being circular; a value of 0 indicates a perfect circle.

Front

What is the significance of the law of universal gravitation?

Back

It explains how masses attract each other, which is fundamental in the formation and motion of celestial bodies.

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 complete one orbit.

Front

What is the shape of the orbits of planets according to Kepler's First Law?

Back

Elliptical.

Front

Which planet has the shortest orbital period?

Back

Mercury.

Front

What is the formula for Kepler's Third Law?

Back

T² = a³, where T is the orbital period in years and a is the semi-major axis in astronomical units (AU).

Front

What happens to a planet's speed as it gets closer to the Sun?

Back

It moves faster due to the stronger gravitational pull.