Question

How did ptolemy account for retrograde motion in his model of the solar system

Answer 1

Answer:

Ptolemy accounted for 'retrograde motion' in his model of the solar system by introducing smaller circles named 'epicycles'.

Explanation:

• According to Ptolemy, the Sun and the other planets in the Solar system orbited around the Earth.

• The Greeks were convinced that Ptolemy's earlier model did not provide for backward or the retrograde motion.

• Ptolemy thought over it for a while and theorized the possibility of 'epicycles'.

• According to Ptolemy, the planets that orbited Earth also orbited another smaller point.

• The smaller orbits followed by the planets while in motion around the Earth in a larger orbit were introduced by Ptolemy as 'epicycles'.

• Until Kepler proposed his models of the functioning of the Solar system, Ptolemy's models were considered the most relevant.