Keplers Laws

Front

What shape do planets orbit the Sun in?

Back

Ellipse

Front

What are the two points called that an ellipse is drawn around?

Back

Foci

Front

What is the eccentricity of an orbit with a value of 0.6?

Back

0.6

Front

What is the eccentricity of a perfect circle?

Back

0

Front

What is the formula for calculating eccentricity?

Back

Distance between foci / Length of major axis

Front

What is Kepler's First Law?

Back

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

Front

What does Kepler's Second Law state?

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?

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 the semi-major axis in an ellipse?

Back

The longest radius of an ellipse, half of the major axis.

Front

What is the difference between aphelion and perihelion?

Back

Aphelion is the farthest point from the Sun, while perihelion is the closest point.