Question

Please help on this one ? :)

Answer 1

You posted the same picture yesterday, and learned that ‘C’ is the point of the MOST kinetic energy because it’s closest to the sun and moving fastest. Then I suggested that you review Kepler’s 2nd law.

From that answer OR from Kepler, it should be clear that the LEAST kinetic energy is at ‘A’ .

Answer 2

KE depends on velocity. It is easier to answer this question in terms of the earth.

The closer the object (earth/comet) is to the sun, the faster it moves. that means that the fastest moving point would be as the comet/earth passes through point C.

The slowest speed would be the furthest away from the sun which is point A.

Answer: The faster the planet moves the greater the Kinetic Energy.

The Slower the planet moves, the less the KE.

Point A is where it is slowest with the lowest amount of energy.

Discussion

The formula for KE is KE = 1/2mv^2. The mass of the comet or earth is a constant. It doesn't change no matter which point the comet passes through. If v goes down KE will go down. If v goes up, KE goes up.