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The planets move intheir ellipticalorbits becauseof the gravitation of the Sun combined withthe inertial velocity of the planets(tangentialto their orbital paths). Mathematics shows the resulting orbits must be ellipses. (Some of the ellipses are in factalmost circles.)
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIn an elliptical orbit, the satellite will be closer to the planet (or to whatever it is orbiting) at some parts of its orbit than at other parts, since an ellipse is like a flattened circle, with a short axis and a longer axis. When the satellite is closer to the planet, the force of gravity (in accordance with Newton's law) will be greater. And when the force of gravity is greater, the orbit speeds up. Where the force of gravity is weaker, the orbit will slow down.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agobecause it moves slowly
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When does a planet move fast or slow?
A planet in an elliptical (oval) orbit will move faster as it gets to its closest point to its sun, and slow down as it reaches its furthest point. A planet with a truly circular orbit will have a constant speed.
The speed of a planet in its elliptical orbit around the sun?
The path that planets take around the sun is called it's orbit. The gravitation pull of the sun keeps each planet in it's orbit. Each planets orbit varies in the time it takes to make one trip around the sun.
Why does the speed of a satellite undergo change in an elliptical orbit?
Variance from mean distance denotes an acceleration as kinetic and potential energies are interchanged.
How does the speed of a planet depends on its distance from the sun?
This was worked out by Kepler about 400 years ago. Kepler's second law of planetary motion shows how a planet moves faster when it's nearer, in its elliptical orbit, to the Sun. Kepler's third law relates the time a particular planet takes to orbit the Sun to its average distance from the Sun. A planet which is farther from the Sun has a slower orbital speed than a planet closer to the Sun.
When a planet is farthest from the sun what is the speed of it's orbit?
The exact number depends on the individual planet, and the exact shape and eccentricity of its orbit. The one general statement that can be made for every planet is that when it's farthest from the sun, it's moving at the slowest speed relative to the sun of any point in its entire orbit.
A satellite in an elliptical orbit loses speed when it?
A satellite in a closed orbit has the greatest speed when it's closest to the planet, and the lowest speed when it's farthest from the planet.
Why does the Earth have an elliptical orbit around the sun?
I'll assume you mean: "... as opposed to a circular orbit". That is caused by the fact that for a circular orbit, a planet needs a VERY PRECISE SPEED. Change the speed slightly (at a particular point in the orbit), and the orbit immediately becomes elliptical.
At what part of an elliptical orbit does a satellite have the greatest speed the least speed?
in the orbit of a planet there is a point called perihelion which is closest point to the sun and aphelion which is furthest from the sun . Moment of a planet in it's elliptical orbit reaches it's maximum in perihelion
When does a planet move fast or slow?
A planet in an elliptical (oval) orbit will move faster as it gets to its closest point to its sun, and slow down as it reaches its furthest point. A planet with a truly circular orbit will have a constant speed.
What can you then conclude about the orbital speed of a planet in an elliptical orbit?
Kepler's Second Law: The planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun.
A satellite in an elliptical orbit gains speed when it?
A satellite in an elliptical orbit gains speed as it draws closer to the central body and loses speed as it moves farther away from the central body.
The speed of a planet in its elliptical orbit around the sun?
The path that planets take around the sun is called it's orbit. The gravitation pull of the sun keeps each planet in it's orbit. Each planets orbit varies in the time it takes to make one trip around the sun.
Why does the speed of a satellite undergo change in an elliptical orbit?
Variance from mean distance denotes an acceleration as kinetic and potential energies are interchanged.
How does the speed of a planet depends on its distance from the sun?
This was worked out by Kepler about 400 years ago. Kepler's second law of planetary motion shows how a planet moves faster when it's nearer, in its elliptical orbit, to the Sun. Kepler's third law relates the time a particular planet takes to orbit the Sun to its average distance from the Sun. A planet which is farther from the Sun has a slower orbital speed than a planet closer to the Sun.
How does the speed of a planet in its orbit vary with time?
All orbits are elliptical There speed is constant (slowing with time and external gravity effects) tend to vary by a law of proportions of segments of the ellipse. It can be broken down into elliptical pie slices with the same areas. Newton describes it very well.
Which term refers to the speed at which a planet travel in its orbit?
Orbital velocity refers to the speed at which a planet travels in its orbit.
A satellite in an elliptical orbit travels at constant what?
If the path is perfectly circular, yes, the speed is constant. This should not be confused with the velocity, because while speed is constant, its direction is not; therefore velocity is always changing.
