Kepler's Laws and Gravitation

What is the relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and its orbital period, according to Kepler's third law?

• The farther the planet, the shorter its orbital period

• Distance and orbital period are directly proportional

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

• There is no relationship between distance and orbital period

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Which statement about a planet's speed in its orbit is correct, according to Kepler's laws?

• It moves fastest at aphelion

• It moves fastest at perihelion

• It moves at a constant speed

• It moves slowest at perihelion

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

How did Kepler's discovery about planetary orbits differ from previous beliefs?

• He found that planets orbit the Moon instead of the Sun

• He discovered that orbits are elliptical rather than circular

• He proved that the Earth is at the center of the solar system

• He showed that planets move at a constant speed in their orbits

Which of Kepler's laws explains why a planet's orbital speed varies?

• First law

• Second law

• Third law

• Fourth law

What is the significance of the perihelion in a planet's orbit?

• It is the point where the planet is farthest from the Sun.

• It is the point where the planet is closest to the Sun.

• It is the point where the planet's speed is the slowest.

• It is the point where the planet's speed is the fastest.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

For any planet, the square of its ​ (a)   of revolution is directly proportional to the ​ (b)   of its average distance from the Sun.

• period

• cube

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

How does the concept of spacetime curvature explain the motion of planets around the Sun?

• Planets are attracted to the Sun by a force.

• Planets move in straight lines in curved spacetime.

• Planets are repelled by the Sun.

• Planets move in circular orbits due to spacetime curvature.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Why was Mars' orbit particularly important in Kepler's discoveries?

• It was the largest planet Kepler could observe

• It had the most elliptical orbit among the planets Brahe had extensive data for

• It was the only planet that followed Aristotle's model

• Its orbit was perfectly circular, confirming previous theories

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

How did Kepler's work contribute to Newton's theory of universal gravitation?

• It disproved gravity entirely

• It provided the foundational laws that Newton explained with his theory

• It showed that gravity only affects objects on Earth

• It proved that the Sun's gravity is weaker than Earth's

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

What is the significance of the foci in an elliptical orbit?

• They represent the positions of the planet at its fastest and slowest speeds

• One focus is always occupied by the Sun in a planetary orbit

• They are the points where the planet is closest to and farthest from the Sun

• They determine the eccentricity of the orbit