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.
The shape of planetary orbits affects their orbital velocity because according to Kepler's second law of planetary motion, planets sweep out equal areas in equal times. This means that when a planet is closer to the sun in its elliptical orbit, it moves faster to cover the same area in the same amount of time. Conversely, when a planet is further from the sun, it moves slower. Therefore, the shape of the orbit directly influences the orbital velocity of the planet.
The shape of planetary orbits, which are generally elliptical, affects the orbital velocity of planets. According to Kepler's second law of planetary motion, a planet moves faster when it is closer to the sun - at perihelion - and slower when it is farther away - at aphelion - along its elliptical orbit. This means that the orbital velocity of a planet is highest at its closest point to the sun and lowest at its farthest point. Thus, the shape of the orbit directly influences the orbital velocity of the planet.
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, an imaginary line drawn from the Sun to a planet sweeps out equal areas in equal time intervals. In elliptical orbits, a planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun (perihelion) and slower when it is farther away (aphelion). This means that the orbital velocity of a planet is highest at perihelion and lowest at aphelion. In contrast, for planets with circular orbits, their orbital velocity remains constant throughout their orbit.
There is no torque exerted on the planet by the gravitational field of the sun.Therefore its angular momentum about the sun remains constant.
m r^2 omega = constant
r omega is the speed
so radius * speed = constant