Based on Kepler's observations about planetary motion, what is the relationship between a planet's orbital velocity and its distance from the sun?
Responses
The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity
The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity - no response given
As distance is cut in half, orbital velocity decreases
As distance is cut in half, orbital velocity decreases - no response given
Distance has no effect on orbital velocity
Distance has no effect on orbital velocity - no response given
The greater the distance, the greater the orbital velocity
1 answer
The correct response based on Kepler's laws of planetary motion is:
The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity.
This is in line with Kepler's Third Law, which states that the square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit. This implies that planets further from the Sun move more slowly in their orbits compared to those that are closer.
