Which of the following best describes the relationship between a planet's speed and its distance from the sun according to Kepler's second law?
A) A planet's speed increases as its distance from the sun increases.
B) A planet's speed decreases as its distance from the sun increases.
C) A planet's speed remains constant regardless of its distance from the sun.
D) There is no relationship between a planet's speed and its distance from the sun. * 1 point
B) A planet's speed decreases as its distance from the sun increases.
According to Kepler's second law, the correct answer is B) A planet's speed decreases as its distance from the sun increases.
To answer this question, we can refer to Kepler's second law of planetary motion. This law, also known as the law of equal areas, states that a planet sweeps out equal areas in equal time intervals as it travels around the sun.
According to Kepler's second law, the speed of a planet does change as its distance from the sun changes. As a planet moves closer to the sun, its speed increases, and as it moves farther from the sun, its speed decreases.
Therefore, the correct answer is B) A planet's speed decreases as its distance from the sun increases.