The Copernican system was no more accurate than the Ptolemaic system in predicting the positions of the planets because of a key factor that was unchanged from the Ptolemaic system. What was that factor?
A) The Copernican system assumed the Earth was at rest at the centre.
B) The Copernican system used elliptical planetary orbits.
C) The Copernican system used uniform circular motion.
D) The Copernican system assumed all planets orbited the Sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Copernican system, like the Ptolemaic system, used the concept of uniform circular motion for the planets, which limited its accuracy in predicting their positions. It wasn't until Kepler introduced elliptical orbits that a more accurate model was developed.

The Copernican System Was No More Accurate Than the Ptolemaic