Planetary Orbits

The force of gravity does work on a satellite when it is in

• circular orbit.
• elliptical orbit.
• both of these
• neither of these

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

An Earth satellite in an elliptical orbit travels fastest when it is

• nearest Earth.
• farthest from Earth.
• everywhere along its orbit.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Acceleration is greater for a satellite when it is at the

• apogee (farthest point).
• perigee (closest point).
• zenith.
• same acceleration at all of the above places.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Consider a moon that orbits one of our most distant planets in an elliptical path. The distance that the moon covers each day is

• greatest when closest to the planet.
• greatest when farthest from the planet.
• the same everywhere.
• need more information 

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Project a cannonball from atop Newton's hypothetical mountain at 8 km/s and it orbits Earth. Project it at 9 km/s and the shape of the orbit is

• a somewhat larger circle.
• a wide parabola.
• an ellipse.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

An Earth satellite in an elliptical orbit has its smallest speed

• closest to Earth
• when getting farther from Earth.
• when farthest from Earth.
• need more information

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

For all paths of Earth satellites, one focus of the path is

• the location from which the satellite was launched.
• Earth's center.
• the Sun's center.
• need more information

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

The orbital path of a satellite has two focal points. When both focal points are together 

• the satellite path is an ellipse.
• the satellite path is a circle.
• satellites lose speed.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

According to Kepler, the paths of planets about the Sun are

• parabolas.
• circles.
• straight lines.
• ellipses

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

The focal point of a satellite in orbit about the Sun is

• inside the Sun.
• outside the Sun.
• both of these
• neither of these

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4