A comet has a speed that is slightly larger than escape velocity.What path around the Sun will the comet follow?
A)A circle
B)An ellipse
C)A parabola
D)A hyperbola

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the comet's speed is slightly larger than escape velocity, it will follow a hyperbolic path around the Sun. This is because escape velocity is the minimum velocity required to escape the gravitational pull of the Sun. If the comet has more velocity than this, it will have excess kinetic energy that cannot be balanced by the gravitational potential energy of the Sun, resulting in a hyperbolic trajectory.

A Comet Has a Speed That Is Slightly Larger Than