Question

4 multiple choice 1 point the sun is 0.1 au away from the center of a planets orbit and the planet is 5.3 au from the center of the orbit. what is the eccentricity of the orbit? 0.019 0 53 1

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the formula for eccentricity (e) of an orbit.

The formula for the eccentricity \( e \) of an elliptical orbit is \( e=\frac{c}{a} \), where \( c \) is the distance from the center of the ellipse to the focus (where the sun is located), and \( a \) is the semi - major axis (the distance from the center of the orbit to the planet, which is the semi - major axis in this case).

Step2: Identify the values of c and a.

We are given that \( c = 0.1\) AU (distance from the center of the orbit to the sun, the focus) and \( a=5.3\) AU (distance from the center of the orbit to the planet, the semi - major axis).

Step3: Calculate the eccentricity.

Substitute the values of \( c \) and \( a \) into the formula for eccentricity:
\( e=\frac{c}{a}=\frac{0.1}{5.3}\approx0.019\)

Answer:

0.019