Question

question 11 of 25
which of the following statements regarding orbits is true?
a. in an orbit, the satellite and the central body are the two foci of the ellipse.
b. in an elliptical orbit, there is one focus and the satellite is located there.
c. the central body is located at one focus of the ellipse describing the orbit.
d. the sun and a planet are at the two foci of an orbit.

Explanation:

According to Kepler's first law of planetary motion, the orbit of a planet around the Sun (or a satellite around a central body) is an ellipse with the central - body at one of the foci. Option A is incorrect as the satellite is not one of the foci. Option B is incorrect because an elliptical orbit has two foci and the satellite is not located at a focus. Option D is incorrect as the Sun is at one focus and the planet moves along the ellipse, not at the foci together with the Sun.

Answer:

C. The central body is located at one focus of the ellipse describing the orbit.