Flashcard on Johannes Kepler

Front

What is Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation?

Back

F = G * m₁m₂ / r², where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, m₁ and m₂ are the masses of the two objects, and r is the distance between their centers.

Front

Who is known for the law that describes the gravitational force causing objects to fall to Earth and planets to orbit the Sun?

Back

Isaac Newton.

Front

What type of orbits do comets typically have according to Kepler's laws?

Back

Very elliptical orbits.

Front

What does Kepler's 2nd Law of Motion state?

Back

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

Front

What is a planet's period?

Back

The amount of time it takes to complete one orbit around the Sun.

Front

What is the significance of Kepler's 3rd Law of Motion?

Back

It relates the square of the orbital period of a planet to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

Front

What is the formula for Kepler's 3rd Law?

Back

T² ∝ a³, where T is the orbital period and a is the semi-major axis.

Front

What is the gravitational constant (G)?

Back

G = 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N(m/kg)², a proportionality constant in Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.

Front

What is the difference between a planet's rotation and its revolution?

Back

Rotation is the spinning of a planet on its axis, while revolution is the movement of a planet around the Sun.

Front

What is an elliptical orbit?

Back

An orbit that is shaped like an elongated circle, where the distance from the center varies.