Johannes Kepler — Questions and answers
Read the full story
Who was Johannes Kepler and what did he discover about planets?
Choices
- A German explorer who found new continents.
- A German mathematician who discovered planets follow elliptical paths. ✓
- A Danish astronomer who invented the telescope.
- A Greek philosopher who believed the Earth was the center of the universe.
Answer: A German mathematician who discovered planets follow elliptical paths.
From page 1
According to Kepler's Second Law, how do planets move in their orbits?
Choices
- They always move at a constant, fast speed.
- They stop and start randomly.
- They speed up when close to the Sun and slow down when far away. ✓
- They only move backwards.
Answer: They speed up when close to the Sun and slow down when far away.
From page 6
What did Kepler's Third Law help us understand about the planets?
Choices
- Why planets are different colors.
- How fast planets spin on their axis.
- The mathematical relationship between a planet's orbital time and the size of its orbit. ✓
- What planets are made of.
Answer: The mathematical relationship between a planet's orbital time and the size of its orbit.
From page 7
How are Kepler's laws used in space exploration today?
Choices
- To decide what astronauts eat in space.
- To design new types of rockets for faster travel.
- To calculate satellite orbits and plan missions to other planets. ✓
- To name new stars and galaxies.
Answer: To calculate satellite orbits and plan missions to other planets.
From page 9
What is Kepler's lasting legacy in science?
Choices
- He invented the first telescope.
- He proved that the Earth was flat.
- His laws are a living foundation for astronomy and space exploration. ✓
- He discovered new planets in our solar system.
Answer: His laws are a living foundation for astronomy and space exploration.
From page 10