Two asteroids,A and B,orbit the Sun on circular orbits with radii of 1 AU and 4 AU,respectively.How do their orbital velocities compare to each other?
A) Asteroid A has twice the velocity of asteroid B.
B) Asteroid A has four times the velocity of asteroid B.
C) Asteroid A has eight times the velocity of asteroid B.
D) The asteroids have identical velocities.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The orbital velocity of an object around the Sun is inversely proportional to the square root of the radius of its orbit. Therefore, if asteroid A is 1 AU from the Sun and asteroid B is 4 AU from the Sun, asteroid A's orbital velocity will be twice that of asteroid B, because the square root of 4 is 2.

Two Asteroids,A and B,orbit the Sun on Circular Orbits with Radii