An Earth satellite is in an elliptical orbit. The satellite travels slowest when it is
A)nearest the Earth.
B)farthest from the Earth.
C)neither

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Kepler's second law of planetary motion, a planet or satellite in elliptical orbit will travel faster when closer to the focus around which it is orbiting. When the satellite is farthest from the Earth, it is at the apogee of its orbit and therefore traveling slower than it does when it is nearer to the Earth at the perigee of its orbit. Therefore, the satellite travels slowest when it is farthest from the Earth.

An Earth Satellite Is in an Elliptical Orbit