When space probe Voyager 2 passed by Saturn, its speed increased (but not due to firing its engines). What must have happened?
A)Saturn must have captured an asteroid at precisely the moment that Voyager 2 passed by.
B)Saturn's rotation must have sped up slightly.
C)Saturn must have lost a very tiny bit of its orbital energy.
D)Voyager 2 must have dipped through Saturn's atmosphere.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. As Voyager 2 passed by Saturn, its gravitational interaction with the planet caused a transfer of energy. Since Voyager 2's speed increased, it means that some of Saturn's energy was transferred to the spacecraft, causing Saturn to lose a very small amount of its orbital energy.

When Space Probe Voyager 2 Passed by Saturn, Its Speed