Predicting Orbital Motion in Space

A planet orbits the sun in an elliptical path. If the semi-major axis of the orbit is 5 AU (astronomical units), what is the orbital period of the planet in Earth years, according to Kepler's Third Law? (Assume the mass of the planet is negligible compared to the sun.)

• 5 years

• 11.2 years

• 8.6 years

• 2.2 years

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Which of the following best describes the shape of the path that planets follow as they orbit the sun?

• Circular

• Elliptical

• Parabolic

• Hyperbolic

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

What is the primary reason that planets remain in orbit around the sun?

• The sun's magnetic field

• The gravitational pull of the sun

• The planets' own gravity

• The solar wind

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

If the mass of a planet were to suddenly double, what would happen to the gravitational force between the planet and the sun?

• It would remain the same

• It would double

• It would halve

• It would quadruple

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Which of the following statements is true about the speed of a planet in an elliptical orbit around the sun?

• The speed is constant throughout the orbit.

• The speed is highest at the aphelion.

• The speed is highest at the perihelion.

• The speed is lowest at the perihelion.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

What is the effect of increasing the distance between two orbiting objects on the gravitational force between them?

• The force increases.

• The force decreases.

• The force remains the same.

• The force becomes zero.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

If the semi-major axis of a planet's orbit is 4 AU, what is the approximate orbital period of the planet in Earth years?

• 4 years

• 8 years

• 16 years

• 2 years

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Which of the following best describes Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion?

• Planets move in circular orbits with the sun at the center.

• Planets move in elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus.

• The square of the orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis.

• The speed of a planet is constant in its orbit.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

What happens to the orbital period of a planet if the mass of the star it orbits increases?

• The orbital period increases.

• The orbital period decreases.

• The orbital period remains the same.

• The orbital period becomes zero.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

If a comet orbits the sun in a highly elliptical orbit, where does it spend most of its time?

• Near the sun

• Far from the sun

• Equally near and far from the sun

• At the perihelion

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4