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The Eccentricity of Orbiting Planets
Lesson online @ www.mathwarehouse.com/ellipse/eccentricity-orbiting-planets.php
Warm UpÆWhat is the value of C in the following equation:
c
= .96 ?
75
Eccentricity of Orbiting Planets Activity
Task #1) Create then draw a sketch of a different solar system that has a different sun
and new planets. (Make up the names)
Task #2) Label the sun of your solar system as the focus.
Task #3) Pick one of the planets that you just created to be the subject of this activity.
Planet:__________
Task #4) Determine (estimate) the value of ‘c’ from the center of the solar system to the
planet.
Task #5) Determine (estimate) the value of ‘a’ from the center of the solar system to the
planet.
Task #6) Calculate the eccentricity and label a & c.
Task #7) Use a and c to determine the value of b.
Task #8) Label a,b,c and write the equation of the ellipse.
© 2007 www.mathwarehouse.com
© 2007 www.mathwarehouse.com
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