I need help with a Physics question. All explanations and answers will be used to help me learn.
Graded Assignment
Lab Report for Discussion
Answer the following questions before you participate in the discussion. Note: You will not turn in this report to your teacher.
1. Look at the shape of Mercury’s orbit. Is it a circle? (The polar graph paper is a perfect circle.)
2. If the shape of Mercury’s orbit is not a circle, then how would you describe the shape? Does it have a geometric name?
3. Where is the position of the sun within the orbit? Is it at the center? If not, how would you describe the sun’s location?
Answer:
Mercury's orbit isn't a circle. It actually has an egg-like shape. It's geometric name would be an ellipse. The sun's position within the orbit isn't at the center. It is located at one of the foci of the ellipse. The focus of an ellipse is a point that isn't the center but located some distance away from the center and close to the vertex or edge of the ellipse.