Question

What is the shape of the orbit of the moon's revolution around the earth?
A. Elliptical
B. Oval
C. Circular
D. Parallel

Answer 1

Hint:The moon orbits around the earth in the same motion and the revolution that it covers is relative to the stars and the sun and is 27.32 days and 29.53 respectively. The shape and size of the moon changes according to its position in its orbital path and distance from the earth.

Complete answer:
- Option A: The shape of the orbit of the moon's revolution around the earth is elliptical and has an eccentricity of 0.0549. As the shape is an ellipse there is a semimajor and semiminor axis. The measurement of the semimajor axis is 384,400 km and the semiminor axis is 383,800 km. Hence, this is the correct option.
- Option B: The shape of the oval is different from the ellipse as the oval is used to define a shape and the ellipse is defined to use a type of curve on a plane. It can be said that all ellipses are oval but not all ovals are ellipses. Hence, this is the incorrect option.
- Option C: The shape of the orbit of the moon’s revolution around the earth is not circular which can be explained by the second law of Keplar’s planetary motion. Hence, this is the incorrect option.
- Option D: The shape of the moon’s revolution cannot be parallel as the moon completes a revolution around the earth so it should be similar to a circular path. Hence, this is the incorrect option.

So, the correct answer is option A.

Note:The shape of the orbit of the moon is not a perfect circle and is elongated. The term supermoon is used when the position of the moon is closest to the earth. The distance of the moon’s orbit varies according to the changes in the tangential and angular speeds, which is stated in the second law of Keplar’s Planetary motion.