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NSWPhysicsQuick questions
Module 5: Advanced Mechanics
Quick questions on Kepler's laws of planetary motion explained: HSC Physics Module 5
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is kepler's First Law (the law of ellipses)?Show answer
Every planet orbits the Sun in an ellipse, with the Sun at one focus.
What is kepler's Second Law (equal areas in equal times)?Show answer
A line drawn from a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times.
What are derivation for circular orbits?Show answer
For a circular orbit, gravity provides the centripetal force:
What is q1?Show answer
State Kepler's three laws of planetary motion. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Earth orbits the Sun at with period . Calculate the Sun's mass using Kepler's third law. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
A new asteroid is discovered with semi-major axis . (a) Calculate its orbital period in years. (b) Explain why a more eccentric orbit with the same has the same period.
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