the image shows earth’s orbit around the sun. which describes the changes in earth’s motion? the speed…
the image shows earth’s orbit around the sun. which describes the changes in earth’s motion? the speed increases from w to x because a component of the gravitational force acts in the direction opposite to the velocity. the speed increases from w to x because a component of the gravitational force acts in the direction of the velocity. the speed increases from x to w because a component of the gravitational force acts in the direction opposite to the velocity. the speed increases from x to w because a component of the gravitational force acts in the direction of the velocity.
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall Kepler's second - law
Kepler's second law states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time. This implies that the planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun and slower when it is farther away. Also, the gravitational force between the Sun and the Earth provides the centripetal force for the Earth's motion. When the Earth moves from a farther - away point to a closer - to - the - Sun point, the component of the gravitational force acts in the direction of the velocity, increasing the speed.
Step2: Analyze the points W and X
In the given ellipse representing the Earth's orbit around the Sun, point X is closer to the Sun than point W. As the Earth moves from X to W (from a closer point to a farther point), the component of the gravitational force acts in the direction opposite to the velocity, decreasing the speed. As the Earth moves from W to X (from a farther point to a closer point), the component of the gravitational force acts in the direction of the velocity, increasing the speed.
Answer:
The speed increases from W to X because a component of the gravitational force acts in the direction of the velocity.