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Overview of Kepler's Laws quiz Flashcards

Overview of Kepler's Laws quiz
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  • How does Earth's varying distance from the Sun affect our seasons?
    Earth's varying distance from the Sun does not significantly affect our seasons. Instead, the tilt of Earth's axis is the primary reason for seasonal changes. Kepler's Second Law explains that Earth moves faster in its orbit when closer to the Sun and slower when farther away, but this variation in speed does not cause the seasons.
  • In what direction do the planets revolve around the Sun?
    The planets revolve around the Sun in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above the Sun's north pole. This is consistent with the general motion of celestial bodies in our solar system.
  • Which planet has an eccentricity most similar to Earth’s eccentricity?
    Venus has an eccentricity most similar to Earth's. Both planets have nearly circular orbits, with Earth's eccentricity being approximately 0.0167 and Venus's being about 0.0068.
  • What does Kepler's First Law state about the shape of orbits?
    Kepler's First Law states that all orbits are elliptical, with the Sun at one of the foci of the ellipse.
  • How is eccentricity used to describe an orbit?
    Eccentricity, denoted by 'e', is a measure of how elliptical an orbit is, ranging from 0 (circular) to 1 (highly elliptical).
  • What does Kepler's Second Law say about the speed of a planet in its orbit?
    Kepler's Second Law states that a planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun and slower when it is farther away, sweeping out equal areas in equal times.
  • How does Kepler's Third Law relate the orbital period and radius?
    Kepler's Third Law establishes that the square of a planet's orbital period (T^2) is proportional to the cube of its orbital radius (R^3).
  • What is the significance of the ratio R^3/T^2 in Kepler's Third Law?
    The ratio R^3/T^2 is constant for all planets orbiting the same star, depending only on the star's mass.
  • How does the eccentricity of Venus's orbit compare to Earth's?
    Venus has an eccentricity most similar to Earth's, with both having nearly circular orbits.
  • In what direction do planets revolve around the Sun?
    Planets revolve around the Sun in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above the Sun's north pole.