A comet speeds up as it approaches the Sun. Which statement about its kinetic energy is correct?(1 point)
Responses
The comet’s kinetic energy stays the same.
The comet’s kinetic energy stays the same.
The comet’s kinetic energy decreases.
The comet’s kinetic energy decreases.
The comet’s kinetic energy increases.
The comet’s kinetic energy increases.
The comet has no kinetic energy because it is in outer space.
The correct statement is: The comet’s kinetic energy increases.
The correct statement is: The comet's kinetic energy increases.
When a comet approaches the Sun, it moves closer to the source of gravitational attraction and experiences a stronger gravitational force. As a result, the comet accelerates and its velocity increases. Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of an object's velocity. Therefore, as the comet's velocity increases, its kinetic energy also increases. This increased kinetic energy helps the comet to overcome the gravitational force pulling it towards the Sun.