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Grade 12 Kepler's Laws & Orbits Worksheet with Answers

Grade 12 (US) · Year 13 (UK) · Class 12 (India) · Science

Unit 1: Space SystemsOrbitsNGSS HS-ESS1-4

Using Kepler's third law (T² = a³) to relate a planet's orbit size and period. This free high school worksheet has 12 questions and a full answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF — every answer is checked by code, not guessed.

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Kepler's Laws & Orbits

Grade 12 · Science

Score___ / 12

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Class

Date

Learning goal: Orbits · NGSS HS-ESS1-4

Directions: Read each question carefully and write your answer on the line.

Example

What is one astronomical unit (AU)?

Answer: the average distance from Earth to the sun

RememberOrbits and stars

1. Orbits are ellipses, Sun at one focus.2. Planets move faster near the Sun.3. T² ∝ a³ (farther = longer year)Stars: nebula → star → red giant→ white dwarf (or supernova)
  1. 1

    Using T² = a³ (T in years, a in AU), what is the orbital period of an object at 25 AU?

  2. 2

    Using T² = a³ (T in years, a in AU), what is the orbital period of an object at 100 AU?

  3. 3

    Where is a planet moving slowest in its orbit?

  4. 4

    Using T² = a³ (T in years, a in AU), what is the orbital period of an object at 9 AU?

  5. 5

    Using T² = a³ (T in years, a in AU), what is the orbital period of an object at 16 AU?

  6. 6

    What shape is a planet's orbit, according to Kepler's first law?

  7. 7

    According to Kepler's second law, does a planet move faster or slower when it is closer to the sun?

  8. 8

    What is a planet's orbital period?

  9. 9

    Do planets farther from the sun take more or less time to orbit?

  10. 10

    Using T² = a³ (T in years, a in AU), what is the orbital period of an object at 4 AU?

  11. 11

    Using T² = a³ (T in years, a in AU), what is the orbital period of an object at 1 AU?

  12. 12

    Who discovered the three laws of planetary motion?

★ Challenge corner for fast finishers

On the Moon (no air), a hammer and a feather are dropped together. Which lands first?

How did I do?

Teacher's comments

Free printable worksheets with answer keys · aethelsystems.com/worksheets/science/12/keplers_laws

Answer key (click to show)
  1. 1.125 years
  2. 2.1000 years
  3. 3.at its farthest point from the sun (aphelion)
  4. 4.27 years
  5. 5.64 years
  6. 6.an ellipse, with the sun at one focus
  7. 7.faster
  8. 8.the time it takes to orbit the sun once
  9. 9.more time
  10. 10.8 years
  11. 11.1 years
  12. 12.Johannes Kepler
  13. ★they land at the same time (challenge corner)

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