8. Planetary Motion and Gravity Flashcards
How did Tycho Brahe contribute to the heliocentric model of the solar system?
Gathered the data
How did Copernicus’ maths models contribute to the heliocentric model?
Suggested heliocentric
How did Keplers’ maths models contribute to the heliocentric model?
How can gravitational forces create stable elliptical orbits?
What is Keplers first law?
All planetary orbits are elliptical in shape
What is Keplers second law?
A line joining a planet to its sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times as the planet travels along its orbit
What is Keplers third law?
The orbital period squared is proportional to the mean radius of the orbit cubed
What is Aphelion and Perihelion?
A - The point of the orbit where the object is further from the Sun
P - The point of the orbit where the object is closer to the Sun
What is Apogee and Perigee?
A - The point of the orbit where the object is further from the Earth
P - The point of the orbit where the object is closer to the Earth
Why does the constant in K’s Third Law depend on the mass?
bigger mass = smaller constant
Mass and Kepler’s constant are…
… inversely proportional
How was Newton able to explain Keplers laws using his law of gravitation?
The gravitational force between two bodies is…..
… inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them (their separation)
Inverse Square Law?
