The figure below shows a planet traveling in a clockwise direction on an elliptical path around a star located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A,
A)its speed is constant.
B)its speed is increasing.
C)its speed is decreasing.
D)its speed is a maximum.
E)its speed is a minimum.

Question

The figure below shows a planet traveling in a clockwise direction on an elliptical path around a star located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A, 
A)its speed is constant. 
B)its speed is increasing. 
C)its speed is decreasing. 
D)its speed is a maximum. 
E)its speed is a minimum.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Kepler's Second Law, the planet will move faster when it is closer to the star and slower when it is further away. At point A, the planet is moving away from the star and therefore its speed is decreasing.

The Figure Below Shows a Planet Traveling in a Clockwise