which quantities decrease as the distance between a planet and the sun increases? check all that apply…
which quantities decrease as the distance between a planet and the sun increases? check all that apply. tangential speed mass gravitational force area swept out in a day distance traveled in a day
Answer
Answer:
- tangential speed
- gravitational force
- distance traveled in a day
Explanation:
Step1: Tangential speed formula
The tangential speed $v$ of a planet in orbit is given by $v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}$, where $G$ is the gravitational constant, $M$ is the mass of the Sun, and $r$ is the distance from the Sun. As $r$ increases, $v$ decreases.
Step2: Gravitational - force formula
The gravitational force $F$ between the planet and the Sun is $F=\frac{GMm}{r^{2}}$, where $m$ is the mass of the planet. As $r$ increases, $F$ decreases.
Step3: Distance traveled in a day
The distance $d$ traveled in a day (time $t$) is related to tangential speed $v$ by $d = vt$. Since $v$ decreases as $r$ increases and $t$ is constant (1 day), $d$ decreases.
Step4: Mass analysis
The mass of a planet is an intrinsic property and is not affected by its distance from the Sun.
Step5: Area - swept analysis
According to Kepler's second - law, the area $A$ swept out by a planet in a given time $t$ is constant ($A=\frac{Lt}{2m}$, where $L$ is the angular momentum and $m$ is the mass of the planet). So the area swept out in a day does not change with the distance from the Sun.