202. Kepler's first law states that the planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus. The closest point of a planetary orbit to the Sun is called the perihelion (for Earth, it currently occurs around January 3) and the farthest point is called the aphelion (for Earth, it currently occurs around July 4). Kepler's second law states that planets sweep out equal areas of their elliptical orbits in equal times. Thus, the two arcs indicated in the following figure are swept out in equal times. At what time of year is Earth moving fastest in its orbit? When is it moving slowest?

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**Understanding Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion**

Kepler's first law states that the planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus. The closest point of a planetary orbit to the Sun is called the *perihelion* (for Earth, it currently occurs around January 3) and the farthest point is called the *aphelion* (for Earth, it currently occurs around July 4).

Kepler's second law states that planets sweep out equal areas of their elliptical orbits in equal times. Thus, the two arcs indicated in the following figure are swept out in equal times.

**Key Questions:**
- At what time of year is Earth moving fastest in its orbit?
- When is it moving slowest?

**Explanation of the Diagram:**
The diagram displays an ellipse representing a planetary orbit. Two shaded areas are marked off by lines radiating from one of the foci (where the Sun is located). These areas represent portions of the orbit swept out by the planet in equal times, illustrating Kepler's second law. The closer the planet is to the Sun (at perihelion), the faster it travels, thus sweeping out a longer arc in the same amount of time. Conversely, it moves slower when it is farthest from the Sun (at aphelion).
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion** Kepler's first law states that the planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus. The closest point of a planetary orbit to the Sun is called the *perihelion* (for Earth, it currently occurs around January 3) and the farthest point is called the *aphelion* (for Earth, it currently occurs around July 4). Kepler's second law states that planets sweep out equal areas of their elliptical orbits in equal times. Thus, the two arcs indicated in the following figure are swept out in equal times. **Key Questions:** - At what time of year is Earth moving fastest in its orbit? - When is it moving slowest? **Explanation of the Diagram:** The diagram displays an ellipse representing a planetary orbit. Two shaded areas are marked off by lines radiating from one of the foci (where the Sun is located). These areas represent portions of the orbit swept out by the planet in equal times, illustrating Kepler's second law. The closer the planet is to the Sun (at perihelion), the faster it travels, thus sweeping out a longer arc in the same amount of time. Conversely, it moves slower when it is farthest from the Sun (at aphelion).
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