In 3-5 sentences, explain how the shape of planetary orbits affects their orbital velocity. Include the proper law of planetary motion as part of your answer. (4 points)
The shape of planetary orbits, which are generally elliptical, impacts their orbital velocity. According to Kepler's second law of planetary motion, also known as the law of equal areas, the line connecting a planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times, meaning that a planet travels faster when it is closer to the sun (perihelion) and slower when it is farther away (aphelion). Therefore, the elliptical shape of the orbit causes the orbital velocity to vary throughout the planet's orbit.
The shape of planetary orbits affects their orbital velocity due to Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion, also known as the Law of Areas. According to this law, a line connecting a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time. In an elliptical orbit, when a planet is closer to the Sun (at perihelion), it covers a larger distance in the same amount of time, resulting in a higher orbital velocity. Conversely, when the planet is farther from the Sun (at aphelion), it covers a smaller distance in the same amount of time, leading to a lower orbital velocity.
The shape of planetary orbits is described by Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion, which states that the planets move in elliptical paths around the Sun. The Sun is located at one of the two foci of the ellipse. The orbital velocity of a planet varies as it moves along its elliptical orbit – it is highest when the planet is closest to the Sun (at perihelion) and lowest when it is farthest from the Sun (at aphelion). This is because the conservation of angular momentum causes a planet to speed up as it gets closer to the Sun and slow down as it moves away.
