The table below shows the orbital information for several asteroids.

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FBFHER

Science

Description

The table below shows the orbital information for several asteroids. Which has the most circular orbit? Why?

OBJECTPERIOD(Years)ORBIT SIZE(AU)ORBITAL ECCENTRICITY
Asteroid 10.690.780.07
Asteroid 21.401.250.65
Asteroid 34.912.890.60
Asteroid 48.914.300.09

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Explanation & Answer

The most circular orbit is the one with the lowest eccentricity (Asteroid 1).

This is because eccentricity 0 is a perfect circle; eccentricity increases as the perihelion distance becomes more difference to the aphelion distance:

e = 1 - Dper/a <- As Dper gets smaller compared to Dap (and therefore a) this gets closer to 1-0 = 1


Anonymous
Awesome! Perfect study aid.

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