The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is slightly elliptical. At Earth's closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) the orbital radius is 1.471×1011m, and at its farthest distance (aphelion) the orbital radius is 1.521×1011m. Given that the mass of the Earth is 5.972×1024kg, and that of the Sun is 1.989×1030kg, find the difference in gravitational potential energy between when the Earth is at its aphelion and perihelion radii. If the orbital speed of the Earth is 29,290 m/s at aphelion, what is its orbital speed at perihelion?

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The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is slightly elliptical. At Earth's closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) the orbital radius is 1.471×1011m, and at its farthest distance (aphelion) the orbital radius is 1.521×1011m.

  1. Given that the mass of the Earth is 5.972×1024kg, and that of the Sun is 1.989×1030kg, find the difference in gravitational potential energy between when the Earth is at its aphelion and perihelion radii.
  2. If the orbital speed of the Earth is 29,290 m/s at aphelion, what is its orbital speed at perihelion?
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