1. What shape is the moon's orbit around Earth?
O a circle
O a spiral
O an ellipse that is elongated
O an ellipse that is almost circular
The shape of the moon's orbit around Earth is an ellipse that is elongated.
The shape of the moon's orbit around Earth is an ellipse that is almost circular.
The shape of the moon's orbit around Earth is an ellipse that is almost circular.
To determine this, you can rely on observations and scientific measurements. Scientists have been studying the moon for centuries and have made extensive observations of its movement in the sky. Based on these observations, they have determined that the moon follows an elliptical path as it orbits around Earth.
One way scientists measure the shape of the moon's orbit is by calculating its eccentricity, which represents the elongation or deviation from a perfect circle. An eccentricity of 0 corresponds to a perfect circle, while an eccentricity greater than 0 indicates an ellipse. The moon's orbit has an eccentricity close to 0, meaning it is almost circular.
Additionally, the fact that the moon appears to be of consistent size in the sky throughout its orbit is further evidence that its path is nearly circular.
So, the correct answer is "an ellipse that is almost circular."