Kepler's Laws Review

Front

What is Kepler's First Law?

Back

Kepler's First Law states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one of the foci.

Front

What shape do planets orbit the Sun in?

Back

Planets orbit the Sun in an elliptical shape.

Front

What does eccentricity measure in an orbit?

Back

Eccentricity measures how elliptical an orbit is, indicating the deviation from a perfect circle.

Front

What is Kepler's Second Law?

Back

Kepler's Second Law states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time, meaning planets move faster when closer to the Sun.

Front

What is the definition of perihelion?

Back

Perihelion is the point in the orbit of a planet where it is closest to the Sun.

Front

What is the definition of aphelion?

Back

Aphelion is the point in the orbit of a planet where it is farthest from the Sun.

Front

How does the speed of a planet change in its orbit?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of the foci in an elliptical orbit?

Back

In an elliptical orbit, the foci are two fixed points; one focus is occupied by the Sun, and the other is empty.

Front

What is the formula for calculating eccentricity?

Back

Eccentricity (e) = distance between foci / length of the major axis.

Front

What does Kepler's Third Law state?

Back

Kepler's Third Law states that the square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.