Orbits and eccentricity

1. Base your answer to the following question on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the elliptical orbit for one planet in our solar system. The two foci of the orbit are shown as the Sun and F2. 

which condition would produce an orbit with a greater eccentricity?  

• A) a decrease in the distance between the Sun and F2 

• B) an increase in the distance between the Sun and F2 

• C) a constant decrease in the orbital velocity of the planet

• D) a constant increase in the orbital velocity of the planet 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

1. Base your answer to the following question on the  diagram below which shows the Earth's orbit and the partial orbit of a comet on the same plane around the Sun. 

Compared with the Earth's orbit, the comet's orbit has

A) less eccentricity

B) more eccentricity

C) the same eccentricity 

• less eccentricity

• more eccentricity

• the same eccentricity 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

1.  The gravitational attraction between two objects in the solar system is greatest when their masses are

• small, and the objects are close together

• small, and the objects are far apart

• large, and the objects are far apart

• large, and the objects are close together

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

1. The graph below shows the varying amount of gravitational attraction between the Sun and an asteroid in our solar system. Letters A, B, C, and D indicate four positions in the asteroid's orbit. 

Which diagram best represents the positions of the asteroid in its orbit around the Sun? [Note: The diagrams are not drawn to scale.]

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Which bar graph correctly shows the orbital eccentricity of the planets in our solar system?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Base your answers to questions 6 and 7 on the diagram below, which shows the orbit of planet D around the star Upsilon Andromedae. The dashed lines show where the paths of the first four planets

of our solar system would be located if they were going around Upsilon Andromedae instead of the Sun. All distances are drawn to scale.

Planet D has a much ​ (a)   eccentric orbit than any of the first four planets of our solar system.

• more
• less

1. Describe the changes in gravitational force between planet D and the star Upsilon Andromedae during one complete orbit around the star. Be sure to label on the diagram where the force is greatest and where the force is least.

a

b

Least

Greatest

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The diagram below represents the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the Sun.

Which equation should be used to find the eccentricity of the Earth's orbit?

• eccentricity =299,000,000km/5,000,000 km

• eccentricity = 5,000,000km/299,000,000 km

• eccentricity = 299,000,000 km - 5,000,000 km

• eccentricity =

  5,000,000 km/299,000,000 km - 5,000,000 km

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

he diagram below shows a satellite in four different positions as it revolves around a planet.

Which graph best represents the changes in this satellite's orbital velocity as it revolves around the planet?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

the diagram below, which represents a model of Earth's orbit. Earth is closest to the Sun at one point in its orbit (perihelion) and farthest from the Sun at another point in its orbit (aphelion). The Sun and point B represent the foci of this orbit.

Groups:

(a) Perihelion

,

(b) Aphelion

• Higher gravity

• Faster velocity

• Lower gravity

• slower velocity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2