Think and discuss: Why do you think the area swept out by a planet in a given period of time remains constant, even as the planet speeds up and slows down? (Select all that apply) (Hint: Think of each area swept out as a triangle. The height of the triangle is the distance between the planet and the Sun, while the base of the triangle is equal to the distance the planet travels in the given time period.

Question

Thaddeus Mcintyre

Physics

11 September, 20:38

Think and discuss: Why do you think the area swept out by a planet in a given period of time remains constant, even as the planet speeds up and slows down? (Select all that apply) (Hint: Think of each area swept out as a triangle. The height of the triangle is the distance between the planet and the Sun, while the base of the triangle is equal to the distance the planet travels in the given time period.

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Answers (1)

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Jaylene Buck · Answer 1

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Explanation:

Planets orbits around in an elliptical shape. In that shape sometimes they are closer to the star and sometimes far away from it.

When the planet is closer to the star it experiences a greater gravitational pull, hence greater velocity, and when it is far from star it experiences a lesser pull, hence slower speed. So, the area that the planet sweeps is equal in both cases. because when it speeds up the length covered along the orbital path is greater, but it is also closer to the star, and that dimension is decreased.

The triangle mention in the question is of variable size, its height increases when the planet is far and its base in increases when the planet is near the star. Hence, the area remains constant throughout.