2006-09-25 10:57:45 · 8 answers · asked by star 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A circular orbit is always the same distance from the center... it is a circle. An elliptical orbit has the attractive body (like the sun) at one of the two foci of an ellipse.
Aloha
2006-09-25 10:59:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Circular orbits are just a mathematically perfect case, that never happens in reality, of an elliptical orbit. If the planet has EXACTLY the right speed, it can orbit the Sun in a perfect circle. If it is just a little too slow, then it will start falling toward the Sun. But as it falls, it picks up speed until half way around the orbit it is closer but now going too fast for a circular orbit. So then it gets pushed away from the Sun by the extra centrifugal force. But as it moves away it slows down, just like a rock thrown up slows down. After another half an orbit it ends up just where it started, going too slow. And the process repeats.
Mathematically it is just like a pendulum, where energy is constantly being transferred from potential to kinetic energy and back again.
2006-09-25 11:08:08 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just to support the previous answer, the circle is a perfect ellipse that has its two focal points in the same place.
Its bad news for the Bible pumpers, but there is no perfection in the universe - all orbits are elliptical. That is not to say that many are so near circular that most of us couldn't tell the difference.
2006-09-25 11:16:44 · answer #3 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A circular orbit maintains the same distance from the sun; an elliptical orbit fluctuates in distance.
2006-09-25 11:31:05 · answer #4 · answered by bruinfan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One's an ellipse and one's a circle. Actually, there are no truly circular orbits; any orbiting object will follow an elliptical path unless the object that it's orbiting is exactly centered at the "centre of gravity" of the two objects.
2006-09-25 11:07:48 · answer #5 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A circular 'orbit' is not able to be maintained, so it could be called a declining orbit, or rapidly degenerating orbit. For an orbit to sustain, it needs to be elliptical. See Johannes Kepler and his laws for a complete (and mind-boggling) explanation.
2006-09-25 11:15:33 · answer #6 · answered by ericscribener 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an elliptical orbit has a path that resembles a slighty squished orange.
a circular orbit is a true circle path
2006-09-25 11:01:11 · answer #7 · answered by rimples25 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one is round teh other oval
2006-09-27 15:25:20 · answer #8 · answered by hondacobra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋