Question

Comets have very elongated elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus. Using Kepler's Law, explain why a comet travels much faster near the sun than it does at the other end of the orbit.

a) Kepler's Third Law.

b) Kepler's Second Law.

c) Kepler's First Law.

d) Kepler's Fourth Law.

Answer 1

Comets travel faster near the Sun than at the other end of their orbit due to Kepler's Second Law.

Step-by-step explanation:

Comets have very elongated elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus. According to Kepler's Second Law, each planet moves so that an imaginary line drawn from the Sun to the comet sweeps out equal areas in equal times. This means that when the comet is closer to the Sun, it covers more area in a shorter time period compared to when it is farther away. As a result, the comet travels faster near the Sun than it does at the other end of the orbit.