Which of these describe the speed of a moon as it draws closer to the planet it orbits?(1 point)
The speed of the moon increases.
The speed of the moon increases.
The speed of the moon remains constant.
The speed of the moon remains constant.
The speed of the moon decreases.
The speed of the moon decreases.
The speed of the moon creates an elliptical pattern.
The speed of the moon increases
The correct answer is:
The speed of the moon increases.
The correct answer is "The speed of the moon increases". As the moon draws closer to the planet it orbits, its speed increases. This is due to the conservation of angular momentum.
To understand why the speed of the moon increases, you can consider the concept of angular momentum. Angular momentum is the measure of how quickly an object is rotating or moving in a curved path around a point. In this case, the moon is moving in a curved path around the planet it orbits.
According to the conservation of angular momentum, if no external forces are acting on the system, the angular momentum remains constant. When the distance between the moon and the planet decreases, the moon's path becomes shorter, which means it has to travel the same distance in less time. In order to do this, the moon must increase its speed.
So, in conclusion, as the moon draws closer to the planet it orbits, its speed increases in order to maintain its angular momentum.