In an elliptical orbit, the furthest point of the planet from the Sun is called “aphelion”, the closest point is called “perihelion”. Watch the planet orbit the Sun, see how the force is not always perpendicular to the velocity. For half the orbit the planet speeds up, going fastest at perihelion; slowing for the other half with aphelion being the slowest point in the orbit. Q . Comet NEOWISE (which made a bright appearance in Earth’s skies in July 2020) has a perihelion distance of 0.295 AU and an aphelion distance of 715.14 AU. If its speed was 65 km/s at perihelion, what will be its speed at aphelion? Please, show the process of reaching the answer step by step.
Gravitational force
In nature, every object is attracted by every other object. This phenomenon is called gravity. The force associated with gravity is called gravitational force. The gravitational force is the weakest force that exists in nature. The gravitational force is always attractive.
Acceleration Due to Gravity
In fundamental physics, gravity or gravitational force is the universal attractive force acting between all the matters that exist or exhibit. It is the weakest known force. Therefore no internal changes in an object occurs due to this force. On the other hand, it has control over the trajectories of bodies in the solar system and in the universe due to its vast scope and universal action. The free fall of objects on Earth and the motions of celestial bodies, according to Newton, are both determined by the same force. It was Newton who put forward that the moon is held by a strong attractive force exerted by the Earth which makes it revolve in a straight line. He was sure that this force is similar to the downward force which Earth exerts on all the objects on it.
In an elliptical orbit, the furthest point of the planet from the Sun is called “aphelion”, the closest point is called “perihelion”. Watch the planet orbit the Sun, see how the force is not always perpendicular to the velocity. For half the orbit the planet speeds up, going fastest at perihelion; slowing for the other half with aphelion being the slowest point in the orbit.
Q . Comet NEOWISE (which made a bright appearance in Earth’s skies in July 2020) has a perihelion distance of 0.295 AU and an aphelion distance of 715.14 AU. If its speed was 65 km/s at perihelion, what will be its speed at aphelion? Please, show the process of reaching the answer step by step.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps with 2 images
