Gravity and Planetary Motion Quiz

What does Kepler's First Law state about the orbits of planets?

• Orbits are circular with the Sun at the center
• Orbits are elliptical with the Sun at one focus
• Orbits are parabolic
• Orbits are hyperbolic

According to Kepler's Second Law, how does a planet's speed change as it orbits the Sun?

• It moves at a constant speed
• It moves faster when closer to the Sun
• It moves slower when closer to the Sun
• It moves faster when farther from the Sun

What is the significance of Kepler's Third Law?

• It describes the shape of planetary orbits
• It relates the orbital period of a planet to its distance from the Sun
• It explains why planets fall towards the Sun
• It states that all planets have the same orbital speed

What is the universal gravitational constant (G)?

• 9.81 m/s²
• 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N(m/kg)²
• 1.6 × 10⁻¹¹ N(m/kg)²
• 3.14 m²/kg

If the distance between a planet and the Sun increases, what happens to the gravitational force acting on the planet?

• It increases
• It decreases
• It remains the same
• It fluctuates

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between gravitational force and orbital motion?

• Gravitational force is independent of orbital motion
• Gravitational force causes orbital motion
• Orbital motion causes gravitational force
• Gravitational force and orbital motion are unrelated

How does the average distance from the Sun affect the orbital period of a planet?

• Longer distances result in shorter orbital periods
• Shorter distances result in longer orbital periods
• Longer distances result in longer orbital periods
• Distance has no effect on orbital period

Which of the following best describes an elliptical orbit?

• A perfect circle
• An elongated circle
• A random shape
• A straight line

What happens to the area swept out by a line segment joining a planet and the Sun during equal time intervals according to Kepler's Second Law?

• It varies
• It remains constant
• It decreases
• It increases

If two planets have orbital periods of 2 years and 8 years, what is the ratio of their average distances from the Sun according to Kepler's Third Law?

• 1:2
• 1:4
• 1:8
• 1:16