Which statement describes Kepler’s third law of orbital motion?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The square of orbital period is proportional to the semi-major axis.
The square of orbital period is proportional to the semi-major axis.

The orbital period is proportional to the square of the semi-major axis.
The orbital period is proportional to the square of the semi-major axis.

The square of orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis.
The square of orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis.

The cube of orbital period is proportional to the square of the semi-major axis.
The cube of orbital period is proportional to the square of the semi-major axis.

Answer 1

The correct statement that describes Kepler's third law of orbital motion is:

The square of the orbital period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis.

In mathematical terms, this is often expressed as:

$$T^2\propto a^3$$

where $T$ is the orbital period and $a$ is the semi-major axis of the orbit.