The figure below shows several positions of a comet traveling in an elliptical o

Question

The figure below shows several positions of a comet traveling in an elliptical orbit around the Sun. Four different segments of its orbit ( A – D), and the corresponding triangular shaped area swept out by the comet, have been shaded in gray. Assume that each of the shaded triangular segments have the same area.

A. Ranking Instruction: Rank the time it took (from greatest to least) for the comet to move along each of the segments (A – D) of the orbit.

Ranking Order: Greatest 1_______ 2_______ 3_______ 4_______ Least

Or, the time to travel each segment would be the same. ______ (indicate with check mark).

Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way:

B. Ranking Instructions:

Rank the distance (from greatest to least) the comet traveled during each of the segments (A – D) of the orbit.

Ranking Order: Greatest 1_______ 2_______ 3_______ 4_______ Least

Or, the distance traveled during each segment would be the same. ______ (indicate with check mark).

Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way:

C. Ranking Instructions:

Rank the speed (from slowest to fastest) of the comet during each segment (A – D) of the orbit.

Ranking Order: Slowest 1_______ 2_______ 3_______ 4_______ Fastest

Or, the speed of the comet during each of the segments would be the same. ______ (indicate with check mark).

Carefully explain your reasoning for ranking this way:

Explanation / Answer

A)

according to kepler's second law, the radius vector drawn from sun to comet sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time.

the time to travel each segment would be the same

B)

Since

Rd > Rc>RA>RB

hence

D<C<A<B

so order will be B>A>C>D

c)

to travel each segment , time taken is same

we know that

B>A>C>D

dividing each by time "t"

(B/t) > (A/t) > (C/t) > (D/t)

Vb > Va > Vc > Vd

so order will be

d < c<a<b

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.