Why is it important that Earth’s orbit is nearly circular?
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1 point
This prevents massive temperature fluctuations that could occur with a more extremely elliptical orbit.
This allows for massive temperature fluctuations that occur with a more circular orbit.
This prevents massive temperature fluctuations that could occur with a more circular orbit.
This allows for gravitational fluctuations that occur with a more extremely elliptical orbit.
The correct answer is:
This prevents massive temperature fluctuations that could occur with a more extremely elliptical orbit.
A nearly circular orbit helps maintain a relatively constant distance between Earth and the Sun throughout the year. This means that the amount of sunlight and solar energy received by different regions of Earth remains relatively stable, resulting in consistent and predictable temperatures. In contrast, a more extremely elliptical orbit would cause significant variations in the distance between Earth and the Sun, leading to much larger temperature fluctuations.
As the MASS of an object increases, its gravitational force ___________.
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1 point
decreases
increases
stays the same
The correct answer is:
increases
According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to their masses. Therefore, as the mass of an object increases, its gravitational force also increases.
Why were Tycho Brahe's data and observations important for Kepler's laws?
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1 point
They proved one of the laws to be true.
They disproved the laws.
They provided evidence to support the laws.
They had no relation to the laws.
The correct answer is:
They provided evidence to support the laws.
Tycho Brahe's data and observations were crucial for Johannes Kepler's development of his laws of planetary motion. Tycho Brahe meticulously recorded and analyzed astronomical measurements, particularly of the planet Mars. Kepler, who worked as Brahe's assistant, inherited Brahe's data after his death. Kepler used this data to formulate his laws, which accurately described the motion of planets. Brahe's observations provided the empirical evidence that supported Kepler's laws.
The acceleration of a satellite can be derived by equating the universal gravitational force and the centripetal force.
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1 point
True
False
The correct answer is:
True
The acceleration of a satellite can indeed be derived by equating the universal gravitational force and the centripetal force. This is known as the gravitational force equilibrium or gravitational force balance. By setting the gravitational force equal to the centripetal force, we can derive the equation for the acceleration experienced by a satellite in orbit around a larger body.
Which is the LEAST eccentric orbit?
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1 point
e=0.001
e=0.90
e=1
e=0.25
The least eccentric orbit is when e=0.001.
Eccentricity (e) is a measure of how elliptical or circular an orbit is. An eccentricity of 0 indicates a perfectly circular orbit, while an eccentricity of 1 indicates a highly elongated orbit (parabolic or escape trajectory). Therefore, an eccentricity of 0.001 is closest to a circular orbit and has the least eccentricity among the given options.
There are two objects close to each other. If the mass of one of the objects is doubled while the distance remains the same, how does the gravitational force change?
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1 point
It becomes four times stronger
It becomes half as strong
It remains the same
It becomes twice as strong
If the mass of one of the objects is doubled while the distance remains the same, the gravitational force between the two objects becomes twice as strong.
According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. If the mass of one object is doubled, the force will be multiplied by a factor of 2. Therefore, the gravitational force between the two objects will become twice as strong.
Which two things affect gravitational force between objects?
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1 point
Mass and distance
Mass and cellular composition
Mass and shape
Distance and shape
The correct answer is:
Mass and distance
Gravitational force between objects is influenced by two main factors: the mass of the objects and the distance between them. The force of gravity increases with the mass of the objects involved. In addition, the force of gravity decreases as the distance between the objects increases. Therefore, mass and distance are the two things that affect gravitational force. The other options, such as cellular composition and shape, do not directly affect the gravitational force between objects.
Which of the eight planets in the solar system has the most elliptical orbit?
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1 point
Venus
Earth
Mars
Mercury
The correct answer is:
Mercury
Mercury has the most elliptical orbit among the eight planets in the solar system. Its orbit is highly eccentric with an eccentricity of about 0.2056, which means it deviates the most from a perfect circle compared to the other planets. The eccentricity of Venus, Earth, and Mars is relatively lower, making Mercury the planet with the most elliptical orbit.
Where is the sun located on Earth’s elliptical orbit?
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1 point
at the aphelium
at the perihelium
at a focus
at the center of the two foci
The correct answer is:
at a focus
The Sun is located at one of the foci of Earth's elliptical orbit. An ellipse has two foci, and the Sun is located at one of them. The other focus is empty. The position of the Sun within Earth's elliptical orbit changes as the planet moves along its orbital path.
According to Newton’s Laws of Motion objects will continue in a straight line at a constant _________ unless acted on by an outside _____________.
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1 point
location, planet
speed, force
speed, time
location, force
The correct answer is:
speed, force
According to Newton's first law of motion, an object will continue moving in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted upon by an outside force. This principle is often summarized as "an object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction, unless acted on by an external force."