Why does the speed of a planet decrease as it moves away from the sun?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The planet’s inertia begins to point inward toward the sun.
The planet’s inertia begins to point inward toward the sun.

The sun’s gravitational pull on the sun decreases.
The sun’s gravitational pull on the sun decreases.

The direction of the sun’s pull relative to the planet’s motion changes.
The direction of the sun’s pull relative to the planet’s motion changes.

The planet’s inertia begins to point backward along its orbit.
The planet’s inertia begins to point backward along its orbit.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

The direction of the sun’s pull relative to the planet’s motion changes.

As a planet moves away from the sun, the gravitational pull from the sun still acts on the planet, but the angle at which this force acts relative to the planet's motion changes, which can result in a decrease in the planet's speed. In the context of orbital mechanics, this is explained by the conservation of angular momentum and the fact that the planet's velocity is influenced by its distance from the sun.