An asteroid approaches Jupiter and is slung around into a new trajectory across the solar system. Which of the following is possible?
The asteroid slows down as it passes around Jupiter.
The asteroid continues out of the solar system.
The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape.
The asteroid falls into an irregular orbit around Jupiter.
Based on Kepler's observations about planetary motion, what is the relationship between a planet's orbital velocity and its distance from the sun?
The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity.
Distance has no effect on orbital velocity.
The greater the distance, the greater the orbital velocity.
As distance is cut in half, orbital velocity decreases.
Based on Kepler's observations about planetary motion, the correct statement is:
The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity.
Kepler's third law of planetary motion, known as the law of harmonies, states that the square of a planet's orbital period is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the Sun. This means that if a planet is further from the Sun, its orbital period will be longer, and hence it will have a slower orbital velocity.
The mass of an object doubles. What happens to the gravitational force between it and another object whose mass stays the same, assuming they remain the same distance apart?
The amount of the gravitational force decreases by one-half.
The amount of the gravitational force quadruples.
The amount of the gravitational force doubles.
The amount of the gravitational force remains the same.
The amount of the gravitational force doubles.
According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses. If one object's mass doubles while the other object's mass remains the same, the force of gravity between them will also double. Thus, the correct answer is that the amount of the gravitational force doubles.
Why was the geocentric model accepted for more than a thousand years?
It correctly explained the motion of the planets.
It correctly described the solar system.
It was confirmed by astronomers using telescopes.
It correctly explained the distribution of the stars.
The geocentric model was accepted for more than a thousand years primarily because it was believed to correctly explain the motion of the planets.
In the geocentric model, Earth was considered to be the center of the universe, with other celestial bodies including the Sun, planets, and stars orbiting around it. This model provided a relatively accurate explanation for the observed motion of the planets in the sky, including their retrograde motion (temporary apparent reversal of direction).
While the geocentric model did not accurately describe the solar system (i.e., the true arrangement and scale of the planets), it was widely accepted due to its success in predicting and explaining phenomena within the limitations of naked-eye observations. The knowledge and technology available at the time limited the ability to observe and gather evidence that would disprove the geocentric model. It was not until the heliocentric model, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century and supported by subsequent astronomical observations, that the understanding of the solar system shifted away from the geocentric perspective.
Select the correct answer to complete the sentence. Gravitational force is said to be universal because:
it operates in one direction.
it operates only within our solar system.
it applies mainly to planets and moons.
it applies to all objects.
The correct answer is: it applies to all objects.
Gravitational force is said to be universal because it applies to all objects in the universe. It is not restricted to a particular direction, our solar system, or specific celestial bodies like planets and moons. According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, every object in the universe with mass experiences gravitational attraction to every other object with mass, regardless of their size, distance, or location.
Which factor is not needed when calculating the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet?
the mass of the satellite
the orbital radius of the satellite
the mass of the planet
the universal gravitational constant
The factor that is not needed when calculating the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet is:
the mass of the satellite.
The velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet is determined by the mass of the planet, the orbital radius of the satellite, and the universal gravitational constant. The mass of the satellite itself does not affect its orbital velocity.
Select the correct words to fill in the blanks to this sentence: As a planet draws away from the sun in its orbit, the force between the sun and the planet _________and the planet's speed _________.
increases, increases
increases, decreases
decreases, decreases
decreases, increases
The correct words to fill in the blanks to the sentence are:
decreases, decreases
As a planet draws away from the sun in its orbit, the force between the sun and the planet decreases and the planet's speed decreases.
According to Kepler's second law of planetary motion and Newton's law of universal gravitation, as a planet moves farther away from the sun in its elliptical orbit, the force of gravity between the planet and the sun decreases. Consequently, the planet's speed also decreases as it moves away from the sun, and it reaches its slowest point at the farthest point of its orbit (aphelion).
Which form of Kepler’s third law can you use to relate the period T and radius r of a planet in our solar system as long as the unit year is used for the period and astronomical unit is used for the radius? ( = means proportional to in this case)
T^2=r
T=r^2
T^2=r^3
T^3=r^2
The correct form of Kepler's third law that can be used to relate the period T and radius r of a planet in our solar system, using years for the period and astronomical units for the radius, is:
T^2 = r^3
This form of the equation states that the square of the period (T^2) is directly proportional to the cube of the radius (r^3) of the planet's orbit.
All of the statements are possible in this scenario:
1. The asteroid slows down as it passes around Jupiter: This is possible because Jupiter has a massive gravitational pull, which can cause the asteroid to lose some of its kinetic energy, resulting in a decrease in speed.
2. The asteroid continues out of the solar system: This is also possible if the slingshot effect (also known as gravity assist) is strong enough to propel the asteroid to escape the gravitational pull of the Sun and other planets, sending it into interstellar space.
3. The asteroid adopts an unusual orbit around the sun, such as an egg shape: This is possible if the gravitational interaction with Jupiter significantly alters the asteroid's original trajectory, causing it to enter a new, non-circular orbit around the Sun.
4. The asteroid falls into an irregular orbit around Jupiter: This is also possible if the gravitational pull of Jupiter is strong enough to capture the asteroid into a stable or unstable irregular orbit around the planet.