Question

As an asteroid accelerates toward the sun, which statement is true?
(1 point)
The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.
The strength of the gravitational force on the asteroid decreases.
The acceleration of the asteroid due to gravity decreases.
The gravitational potential energy of the asteroid increases.

Answer 1

The kinetic energy of the asteroid increases.

As the asteroid falls closer to the Sun, the Sun’s gravitational force (which follows an inverse-square law) grows stronger, so the gravitational acceleration increases and gravitational potential energy decreases (becomes more negative). By energy conservation, that lost potential energy becomes kinetic energy, so the asteroid speeds up.