In 3-5 sentences, explain how the shape of planetary orbits affects their orbital velocity. Include the proper law of planetary motion as part of your answer.
Question
In 3-5 sentences, explain how the shape of planetary orbits affects their orbital velocity. Include the proper law of planetary motion as part of your answer.
Solution
The shape of planetary orbits, described by Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion, indicates that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus. This elliptical shape leads to variations in orbital velocity as per Kepler's Second Law, which states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time. As a planet approaches the Sun (at periapsis), it moves faster due to stronger gravitational pull, while it slows down when it is farther away (at apoapsis). Consequently, the orbital velocity is not constant and is influenced by the distance from the Sun as well as the eccentricity of the orbit.
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