Astronomy Astronomy Celestial Mechanics and Orbits

Question 1

Which of Kepler's Laws states that planets sweep out equal areas in equal times?

Accepted Answer

Second Law (Law of Equal Areas)

Answer

First Law (Law of Ellipses)

Answer

Third Law (Law of Periods)

Answer

Newton's extension of Kepler's laws

Question 2

What is the eccentricity of a perfectly circular orbit?

Accepted Answer

0

Answer

1

Answer

0.5

Answer

2

Question 3

What is the point in a planet's orbit where it is closest to the Sun called?

Accepted Answer

Perihelion

Answer

Aphelion

Answer

Perigee

Answer

Apogee

Question 4

What is a Lagrange point?

Accepted Answer

A position where gravitational forces allow a small object to maintain a stable orbit

Answer

The point where a planet's gravity equals the Sun's gravity

Answer

A location where two planets have the same orbital speed

Answer

A fixed point in space relative to the galactic center

Question 5

According to Kepler's Third Law, how does a planet's orbital period relate to its distance from the Sun?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The period is proportional to the square of the distance

Answer

The period equals the distance divided by orbital speed

Answer

The period is inversely proportional to the planet's mass

Question 6

What is orbital resonance?

Accepted Answer

A ratio relationship between orbital periods of two objects that gravitationally affects each other

Answer

The vibration of a satellite due to tidal forces

Answer

The synchronization of a moon's spin with its orbital period

Answer

The alignment of planets in the same orbital plane