3. Which of the following has the most eccentric orbit? (Also known as a highly elliptical orbit)
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1 point
Earth
Mercury
an asteroid
a comet
a comet
A comet has the most eccentric orbit among the given options.
To determine which celestial body has the most eccentric orbit, we need to understand what eccentricity means. Eccentricity is a measure of how elongated an orbit is, with higher values indicating a more elliptical shape.
To find the eccentricity of an orbit, we need to know the distance between the focal points of the ellipse (known as the foci) and the length of the major axis (the longer diameter of the ellipse). The eccentricity (e) is calculated using the formula:
e = distance between foci / length of major axis
Now, let's assess the options:
1. Earth: Earth's orbit around the Sun is slightly elliptical, with an eccentricity of approximately 0.0167. Although it is not perfectly circular, its eccentricity is relatively low compared to other celestial bodies.
2. Mercury: Mercury, being the closest planet to the Sun, has a more eccentric orbit than Earth. The eccentricity of Mercury's orbit is around 0.2056, making it significantly more elliptical.
3. An asteroid: Asteroids can have highly varied orbits. Some asteroids have orbits that are nearly circular, while others have extremely eccentric orbits. To determine which asteroid has the most eccentric orbit, we would need to compare individual asteroids' data.
4. A comet: Comets are known for their highly elliptical and eccentric orbits. They spend most of their time in the outer regions of the solar system, but when they approach the Sun, their orbits become highly elongated. Comets can have eccentricities close to or even larger than 1.
Based on the given options, a comet is most likely to have the highest eccentricity among the listed celestial bodies.