A planet moves in an elliptical path around the sun from the point furthest from

Question

A planet moves in an elliptical path around the sun from the point furthest from the sun to the point closest to the sun.

Explain whether the energy of the system (the object) increased, decreased, or remained the same from the beginning of the situation to the end.

Identify all the forces acting on the system as it moves and explain whether the work done by each force is positive, negative, or zero.

Apply the energy principle and draw conclusions about the work done by each force.

(Choose planet as the system)

Explanation / Answer

a) As the planet moves from far point to the close point its speed increases and hence its energy also increases . its speed ncreases , becuase the force acting on the planet is increases . b) The force ating on the particle is gravitational force which is a centre seeking force or central force and c)The amount work done by this force is zero . Because W = FScosq , where q is the angle between F and and displacement S As the force is towards centre and displacement is tangential and hence q = 90 degrees and cos90 = 0 Hence W = FS(0) = 0 Hence the work done by the gravitational force is zero.

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