Kepler determined that planets change their speed as they travel around * the sun. This happens due to all of the following EXCEPT
A). The sun's gravity makes the planets slow as they get closer
B). The sun's gravity pulls against the planet's inertia in some places
C). The sun's gravity pulls with the planet's inertia in some places
D). The planets' orbits are elliptical
A) The sun's gravity makes the planets slow as they get closer
The correct answer is C) The sun's gravity pulls with the planet's inertia in some places.
To determine the answer to this question, we need to understand Kepler's laws of planetary motion. Kepler's laws describe the motion of planets around the Sun.
Kepler's first law, also known as the law of orbits, states that the planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one of the focal points. This means that option D is not the correct answer since it is one of the factors that Kepler considered.
Now let's analyze the other options:
A) The sun's gravity makes the planets slow as they get closer: This is in line with Kepler's second law, known as the law of areas. According to this law, a planet sweeps equal areas in equal times as it moves around the Sun. As the planet gets closer to the Sun, it needs to move faster to cover the same area in the same amount of time. So, this option is a valid explanation by Kepler.
B) The sun's gravity pulls against the planet's inertia in some places: This is also a valid explanation in the context of Kepler's laws. Kepler's third law, the law of harmonies, states that the square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of its average distance from the Sun. The Sun's gravity influences the planet's motion and pulls it against its own inertia at certain points in the orbit.
C) The sun's gravity pulls with the planet's inertia in some places: This option seems to be a bit confusing and not directly related to Kepler's laws. The Sun's gravity always affects the planet's motion, but it doesn't necessarily pull with the planet's inertia at some places. Therefore, this option is likely the correct answer as it does not align with Kepler's findings.
To sum up, the correct answer is C) The sun's gravity pulls with the planet's inertia in some places. Kepler's laws explain that the Sun's gravity pulls against the planet's inertia (B) and makes the planets slow as they get closer (A).