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What is the significance of the semi-major axis in an elliptic orbit?
- A Determines the orbit's size
- B Determines the orbit's duration
- C Determines the orbit's speed
- D Determines the orbit's stability
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The semi-major axis in an elliptical orbit is a critical parameter as it defines the largest diameter of the ellipse and effectively the size of the orbit itself. This measurement is vital for calculating the total area of the orbit and, by Kepler's Third Law, directly influences the orbital period, providing a quantitative measure of how long it takes for an object to complete one revolution around its central body.
