according to Kepler's second law of motion which statement describes the area swept out by a line between a planet and the Sun?
-it is constant for equal times
-it increases as the planet approaches the sun
-it increases as the planet moves away from the sun
-it is constant if the planet moves at a constant speed
According to Kepler's second law of motion, the statement that describes the area swept out by a line between a planet and the Sun is: "It is constant if the planet moves at a constant speed."
According to Kepler's second law of motion, the statement that describes the area swept out by a line between a planet and the Sun is: "It is constant for equal times."
To understand why this statement is true, we need to know a little bit about the law itself. Kepler's second law of motion, also known as the law of equal areas, states that a line joining a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times.
Imagine a planet moving in an elliptical orbit around the Sun. As the planet moves closer to the Sun, it covers a shorter distance in the same amount of time. Conversely, as it moves farther away from the Sun, it covers a longer distance in the same amount of time.
Here's how to get to the answer:
1. Understand Kepler's second law of motion, which explains the behavior of a planet in its orbit around the Sun.
2. Review the given statements and examine each one.
3. Eliminate options that contradict Kepler's second law and those that do not conform to the behavior described.
4. Assess which statement aligns with the idea that the area swept out by a line between a planet and the Sun is constant for equal times.
By following these steps, you will determine that the correct statement is: "It is constant for equal times."