In 3 sentences, explain how the shape of planetary orbits affect their orbital velocity. Include the proper law of planetary motion as part of your answer

Answer 1

According to Kepler's second law of planetary motion, planets sweep out equal areas in equal time intervals as they orbit the Sun. This means that when a planet is closer to the Sun in its elliptical orbit, it travels faster to cover the same amount of area in the same amount of time. Conversely, when the planet is farther from the Sun in its elliptical orbit, it moves slower. The shape of the planetary orbit therefore directly influences the orbital velocity of the planet at any given point in its orbit.