Based on Kepler's observations about planetary motion, what is the relationship between a planet's orbital velocity and its distance from the sun?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity.
The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity.

The greater the distance, the greater the orbital velocity.
The greater the distance, the greater the orbital velocity.

As distance is cut in half, orbital velocity decreases.
As distance is cut in half, orbital velocity decreases.

Distance has no effect on orbital velocity.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

The greater the distance, the slower the orbital velocity.

This relationship is described by Kepler's Third Law, which states that the square of a planet's orbital period (the time it takes to complete one orbit) is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit (essentially the average distance from the sun). As a result, planets that are farther from the sun move more slowly in their orbits compared to those that are closer.