Question

kepler’s second law quick check
which does kepler’s second law state about planetary motion? (1 point)
○ the planet travels along an elliptical orbit.
○ planets move at the same speed at all points along their orbit.
○ a line between the planet and the sun covers equal areas in equal times.
○ the square of the orbital period is directly proportional to the cube of the semi - major axis.

Explanation:

• The option "The planet travels along an elliptical orbit" is Kepler’s first law.
• "Planets move at the same speed at all points along their orbit" is incorrect as planets move faster when closer to the Sun (per Kepler’s second law, they cover equal areas in equal times, so speed varies).
• "A line between the planet and the sun covers equal areas in equal times" is the correct statement of Kepler’s second law.
• "The square of the orbital period is directly proportional to the cube of the semi - major axis" is Kepler’s third law.

Answer:

C. A line between the planet and the sun covers equal areas in equal times.