Exploring Kepler's Laws of Motion

Point on orbit where a planet is farthest from the Sun

• Perihelion

• Aphelion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

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 of the foci.

• Planets move in parabolic orbits with the Sun at the vertex.

• Planets move in hyperbolic orbits with the Sun at one of the foci.

Kepler's Second Law is also known as the law of:

• Equal areas

• Equal distances

• Equal velocities

• Equal times

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

According to Kepler's Second Law, a planet sweeps out equal areas in:

• Equal distances

• Equal times

• Equal velocities

• Equal orbits

In an elliptical orbit, the point at which a planet is closest to the Sun is called:

• Aphelion

• Perihelion

• Zenith

• Nadir

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

In an elliptical orbit, the point at which a planet is farthest from the Sun is called:

• Aphelion

• Perihelion

• Zenith

• Nadir

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following statements is true about elliptical orbits?

• The Sun is at the center of the ellipse.

• The Sun is at one of the foci of the ellipse.

• The Sun is at the vertex of the ellipse.

• The Sun is at the midpoint of the major axis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

What is the shape of the path that planets follow according to Kepler's First Law?

• Circular

• Elliptical

• Parabolic

• Hyperbolic

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Kepler's laws of planetary motion apply to:

• Only the planets in our solar system

• All celestial bodies orbiting a star

• Only the Earth and the Moon

• Only artificial satellites

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following is a consequence of Kepler's Second Law?

• Planets move faster when they are closer to the Sun.

• Planets move slower when they are closer to the Sun.

• Planets move at a constant speed throughout their orbit.

• Planets stop moving when they are at aphelion.