Question

All the planets move around the sun in a
A. Circular path
B. Rectangular path
C. Elongated path
D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Hint: All the planets move around the sun in an elliptical path. Each planet moves on its own path around the sun.

Complete answer:
When an object moves or revolves around the other object in an elongated path
and not in a circular motion, it is called Elliptical orbit. All the planets in our solar system move in an elongated path around the sun. The same is with our natural satellite which is the moon.
While revolving around the planet earth, the speed of the moon varies depending on its position in the revolutionary path.
The moon moves the slowest when it is away from the planet and the fastest when it is closest to the earth. Elliptical orbits give communication satellites an advantage in that they are visible to a ground station for a longer period of time and are out of contact for a short period of time.
The size of the ellipse is measured by the major and minor axis. A major axis is the longest distance while the minor axis is the shortest axis. The time in the orbit of a satellite when it is closest to the planet earth is known as Perigee. The time when the satellite is the farthest from the earth is called apogee.
The orbits of all the planets are elliptical, but most of the eccentricities are so small that they look circular, but pluto and Mercury have more elliptical paths that look more eccentric. Elliptical paths are more critical than circular paths.
The reason being, a spaceship that leaves earth and goes in a circular path will not go very far. Elliptical paths were very well explained by the astronomer Kepler.

Therefore the correct answer is C.

Note: Elliptical orbits give communication satellites an advantage in that they are visible to a ground station for a longer period of time and are out of contact for a short period of time. The size of the ellipse is measured by the major and minor axis. A major axis is the longest distance while the minor axis is the shortest axis. The time in the orbit of a satellite when it is closest to the planet earth is known as Perigee. The time when the satellite is the farthest from the earth is called apogee.