For a planet in orbit around a star the perihelion distance is r_p and its speed at perihelion is v_p. The aphelion distance is r_a and its speed at aphelion is v_a. Which of following is true?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conservation of angular momentum for a planet in orbit states that the product of the speed and the distance from the star is constant at any point in the orbit, so v_a r_a = v_p r_p.

For a Planet in Orbit Around a Star the Perihelion