the image shows how earth orbits the sun. points w and x are the same distance from the sun. which…

the image shows how earth orbits the sun. points w and x are the same distance from the sun. which conclusion is best supported by the image? earth is speeding up at w and slowing down at x because the force on earth is greater at w than at x. earth is slowing down at w and speeding up at x because the force on earth is greater at w than at x. the speed of earth is the same at w as at x because the force on earth is the same at w as at x. the speed of earth is greater at w than at x because the force on earth is greater at w than at x.

the image shows how earth orbits the sun. points w and x are the same distance from the sun. which conclusion is best supported by the image? earth is speeding up at w and slowing down at x because the force on earth is greater at w than at x. earth is slowing down at w and speeding up at x because the force on earth is greater at w than at x. the speed of earth is the same at w as at x because the force on earth is the same at w as at x. the speed of earth is greater at w than at x because the force on earth is greater at w than at x.

Answer

Answer:

The speed of Earth is the same at W as at X because the force on Earth is the same at W as at X.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravitational - force formula

The gravitational force between the Sun and Earth is $F = G\frac{Mm}{r^{2}}$, where $G$ is the gravitational constant, $M$ is the mass of the Sun, $m$ is the mass of the Earth, and $r$ is the distance between them.

Step2: Analyze distances

Points W and X are the same distance from the Sun. So, from the force formula $F = G\frac{Mm}{r^{2}}$, the gravitational force acting on Earth at W and X is the same since $r$ is equal for both points.

Step3: Relate force and speed

According to Kepler's laws and the conservation of angular - momentum, when the force acting on a planet in orbit (due to the Sun's gravity) is the same at two points, the speed of the planet at those two points is the same.