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

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 force acting on it changes in direction relative to its motion, which affects its speed and trajectory in the orbit.