Kepler's second law says that if a planet is in an elliptical orbit around a star, then the planet moves fastest when the planet is:
A) farthest from the star
B) closest to the star
C) exceeding the escape velocity
D) experiencing zero acceleration
E) located at one of the foci

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Kepler's second law, a planet moves fastest when it is closest to the star in its elliptical orbit. This is because the gravitational pull of the star is strongest at this point, and the planet is closest to the source of the force. As the planet moves away from the star, the gravitational force weakens and the planet's velocity decreases.

Kepler's Second Law Says That If a Planet Is in an Elliptical