Question
As an asteroid accelerates toward the sun, which statement is true?
(1 point)
Responses
The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.
The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.
The acceleration of the asteroid due to gravity decreases.
The acceleration of the asteroid due to gravity decreases.
The gravitational potential energy of the asteroid increases.
The gravitational potential energy of the asteroid increases.
The strength of the gravitational force on the asteroid decreases.
(1 point)
Responses
The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.
The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.
The acceleration of the asteroid due to gravity decreases.
The acceleration of the asteroid due to gravity decreases.
The gravitational potential energy of the asteroid increases.
The gravitational potential energy of the asteroid increases.
The strength of the gravitational force on the asteroid decreases.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct statement is:
**The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.**
As the asteroid accelerates toward the Sun, it is falling under the influence of gravity, which causes it to gain speed. As its speed increases, its kinetic energy also increases.
Let's briefly analyze the other statements:
- **The acceleration of the asteroid due to gravity decreases.**: This is false; the gravitational acceleration actually increases as the asteroid gets closer to the Sun since gravitational force is stronger at shorter distances.
- **The gravitational potential energy of the asteroid increases.**: This is false; as the asteroid moves closer to the Sun, its gravitational potential energy decreases.
- **The strength of the gravitational force on the asteroid decreases.**: This is false; the strength of the gravitational force increases as the asteroid approaches the Sun.
So, the only correct choice is that the kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.
**The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.**
As the asteroid accelerates toward the Sun, it is falling under the influence of gravity, which causes it to gain speed. As its speed increases, its kinetic energy also increases.
Let's briefly analyze the other statements:
- **The acceleration of the asteroid due to gravity decreases.**: This is false; the gravitational acceleration actually increases as the asteroid gets closer to the Sun since gravitational force is stronger at shorter distances.
- **The gravitational potential energy of the asteroid increases.**: This is false; as the asteroid moves closer to the Sun, its gravitational potential energy decreases.
- **The strength of the gravitational force on the asteroid decreases.**: This is false; the strength of the gravitational force increases as the asteroid approaches the Sun.
So, the only correct choice is that the kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.