A line between a planet and the sun sweeps out two equal areas at different places as it moves along its orbit. Which factor remains constant as this happens?
Responses:
a) the time required to sweep out the areas
b) the planet’s speed as it sweeps out the areas
c) the distance from the sun to the planet while it sweeps out the areas
d) the distance the planet moves along its orbit while it sweeps out the area
a) the time required to sweep out the areas
A satellite orbiting Earth at an orbital radius r has a velocity v. Which represents the velocity if the satellite is moved to an orbital radius of 5r?
Responses:
a) 1/5 v
b) 1/ to the square root of 5 v
c) 5v
d) to the square root of 5 v
b) 1/√5 v
Which did Kepler notice about planetary motion that caused him to propose Kepler’s first law of orbital motion?(1 point)
The correct answer is (b) the planet's speed as it sweeps out the areas.
To determine which factor remains constant as the line between a planet and the sun sweeps out two equal areas at different places along its orbit, let's consider the options provided:
a) The time required to sweep out the areas: This factor does not remain constant as the planet moves along its orbit. The time required to sweep out the areas will vary depending on the planet's orbital speed.
b) The planet’s speed as it sweeps out the areas: This factor does not remain constant either. The planet's speed changes as it moves along its orbit due to the gravitational forces between the sun and the planet.
c) The distance from the sun to the planet while it sweeps out the areas: This factor does remain constant. According to Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion, a line connecting a planet to the sun will sweep out equal areas in equal amounts of time. This means that as the planet moves along its orbit, the distance from the sun to the planet remains constant.
d) The distance the planet moves along its orbit while it sweeps out the area: This factor does not remain constant. The planet moves different distances along its elliptical orbit as it sweeps out the equal areas.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
c) the distance from the sun to the planet while it sweeps out the areas