Question

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 orbit of a planet has an elliptical shape with the sun at one focus.
d. the sun and a planet are at the two foci of an orbit.

Explanation:

Kepler's first law of planetary motion states that the orbit of a planet around the Sun is an ellipse with the Sun at one of the foci. In an orbit, the central body (like the Sun) is at one focus, not the satellite and central body as the two foci (option A is wrong). An elliptical orbit has two foci and the satellite moves around, not located at a focus (option B is wrong). The Sun is at one focus and the planet moves in the orbit, not the Sun and planet being the two foci (option D is wrong).

Answer:

C. The orbit of a planet has an elliptical shape with the Sun at one focus.