Question
Why do planets move faster when they are closer to the Sun in their orbit? (hint: Kepler’s 2nd law)
(1 point)
Responses
The Sun’s gravitational pull is stronger, pulling the planet forward and increasing its speed.
The Sun’s gravitational pull is stronger, pulling the planet forward and increasing its speed.
The planet gains energy from the Sun’s heat, which makes it accelerate.
The planet gains energy from the Sun’s heat, which makes it accelerate.
The planet’s mass increases as it approaches the Sun, causing it to move faster.
(1 point)
Responses
The Sun’s gravitational pull is stronger, pulling the planet forward and increasing its speed.
The Sun’s gravitational pull is stronger, pulling the planet forward and increasing its speed.
The planet gains energy from the Sun’s heat, which makes it accelerate.
The planet gains energy from the Sun’s heat, which makes it accelerate.
The planet’s mass increases as it approaches the Sun, causing it to move faster.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:
**The Sun’s gravitational pull is stronger, pulling the planet forward and increasing its speed.**
This relates to Kepler's 2nd law, which states that a line drawn from a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times. As a planet gets closer to the Sun in its elliptical orbit, the Sun's gravitational force is stronger, resulting in the planet moving faster.
**The Sun’s gravitational pull is stronger, pulling the planet forward and increasing its speed.**
This relates to Kepler's 2nd law, which states that a line drawn from a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times. As a planet gets closer to the Sun in its elliptical orbit, the Sun's gravitational force is stronger, resulting in the planet moving faster.