Kepler's Laws & Barycenter

Front

What is Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion?

Back

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

Front

What does the term 'barycenter' refer to?

Back

The point around which two objects (like a planet and its moon) rotate.

Front

What is the significance of the areas swept by a line connecting the Sun and a planet?

Back

They are equal for equal time intervals, demonstrating the conservation of angular momentum.

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.

Front

What is an elliptical orbit?

Back

An orbit that is shaped like an elongated circle, defined by two foci.

Front

Where is a planet moving fastest in its orbit?

Back

At the perihelion, the closest point to the Sun.

Front

What is the aphelion?

Back

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

Front

How does the distance between foci affect the eccentricity of an orbit?

Back

The greater the distance between the foci, the more eccentric (elongated) the orbit.

Front

What is the relationship between the mass of two objects and their barycenter?

Back

The barycenter is closer to the more massive object.