ECCENTRICITY REGENTS PRACTICE

The diagram below represents the position of Earth in its orbit and the position of a comet in its orbit around the Sun. Which inference can be made about the comet's orbit, when it is compared to Earth's orbit?

• A) Earth's orbit and the comet's orbit have the same distance between foci.

• B) Earth's orbit has a greater distance between foci than the comet's orbit.

• C) The comet's orbit has one focus, while Earth's orbit has two foci.

• D) The comet's orbit has a greater distance between foci than Earth's orbit.

Based on the diagram and your knowledge of Earth science, compared to the orbit of the Jovian planets, the orbit of Halley’s comet is:

• less elliptical, with a shorter distance between its foci

• less elliptical, with a greater distance between its foci

• more elliptical, with a shorter distance between its foci

• more elliptical, with a greater distance between its foci

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

The diagram below represents planets A and B, of equal mass, revolving around a star. Compared to planet A, planet B has a:

• weaker gravitational attraction to the star and a shorter period of revolution

• weaker gravitational attraction to the star and a longer period of revolution

• stronger gravitational attraction to the star and a shorter period of revolution

• stronger gravitational attraction to the star and a longer period of revolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

If the diagram represents our solar system and planet B is Venus, which planet is represented by planet A?

• A) Mercury

• B) Jupiter

• C) Earth

• D) Mars

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

As planet A moves in orbit from its current location to position X, planet B most likely moves in orbit from its current location to position

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The bar graph below shows one planetary characteristic, identified as X, plotted for the planets of our solar system. Which characteristic of the planets in our solar system is represented by X?

• mass

• density

• eccentricity of orbit

• period of rotation

Which planet has the least distance between the two foci of its elliptical orbit?

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

• Jupiter

Which planet’s orbit around the Sun is most nearly circular?

• Mercury

• Neptune

• Pluto

• Venus

Which planet has an orbital eccentricity most like the orbital eccentricity of the Moon?

• Pluto

• Saturn

• Mars

• Mercury

Which object is located at one foci of the elliptical orbit of Mars?

• the Sun

• Betelgeuse

• Earth

• Jupiter

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4