Final answer:
Without a diagram, it is not possible to determine the correct direction of the comet's position vector relative to the sun as it depends on the comet's location in its orbit. The comet's position vector points from the sun directly to the comet, and the momentum vector would be tangent to the orbit. Understanding comet motion requires knowledge of elliptical orbits and conservation of angular momentum as outlined by Kepler's laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The comet's position vector relative to the sun in an elliptical orbit would point directly from the sun to the comet. If the momentum vector is indicated by the black arrow, the position vector would be drawn from the sun to the comet's current location, perpendicular to the momentum vector if the momentum is along the tangent to the orbit at that point. Therefore, without a diagram, it is not possible to determine the correct direction of the position vector (A, B, C, or D) without knowing the specific location of the comet on its orbit. To clarify this concept, Kepler's Second Law (Law of Equal Areas) states that a comet will sweep out equal areas in equal periods of time, which means that they move faster when closer to the sun and slower when further away due to the conservation of angular momentum. This does not directly answer the question about the position vector but gives context on comet motion.
- Elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus
- Conservation of angular momentum as described by Kepler's laws
- Variation in speed of a comet depending on its distance from the sun