Given the geometry shown in the picture, can you figure out where the planet is when it is moving the fastest and when it is moving the slowest?  Explain your reasoning as clearly as you can.

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Given the geometry shown in the picture, can you figure out where the planet is when it is moving the fastest and when it is moving the slowest?  Explain your reasoning as clearly as you can. 

 

**Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion: An Illustration**

This diagram illustrates the orbit of a planet around the Sun, reflecting concepts from Kepler’s laws of planetary motion:

1. **Ellipse and Focus:**
   - The planet orbits in an elliptical path with the Sun positioned at one of the foci.

2. **Planet's Position:**
   - The planet, represented as a blue dot, is shown in its orbit around the Sun.

3. **Velocity (\( \vec{v}_{\text{planet}} \)):**
   - The velocity vector (\( \vec{v}_{\text{planet}} \)) is tangential to the orbit, indicating the direction of the planet’s motion along its path.

4. **Gravitational Acceleration (\( \vec{a}_g \)):**
   - The gravitational acceleration vector (\( \vec{a}_g \)) points toward the Sun, demonstrating the radial direction of gravitational force acting on the planet.

5. **Directional Arrows:**
   - A dashed line extends from the planet to the Sun, marked as "+ Radial Direction."
   - A perpendicular dashed line to the velocity vector indicates the "+ Tangential Direction."

6. **Angle Indicator:**
   - The angle between the radial direction and the gravitational acceleration (\( \vec{a}_g \)) is marked as 20°.

This visual representation aids in understanding how planetary orbits are governed by gravitational forces and velocities, contributing to the understanding of celestial mechanics.
Transcribed Image Text:**Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion: An Illustration** This diagram illustrates the orbit of a planet around the Sun, reflecting concepts from Kepler’s laws of planetary motion: 1. **Ellipse and Focus:** - The planet orbits in an elliptical path with the Sun positioned at one of the foci. 2. **Planet's Position:** - The planet, represented as a blue dot, is shown in its orbit around the Sun. 3. **Velocity (\( \vec{v}_{\text{planet}} \)):** - The velocity vector (\( \vec{v}_{\text{planet}} \)) is tangential to the orbit, indicating the direction of the planet’s motion along its path. 4. **Gravitational Acceleration (\( \vec{a}_g \)):** - The gravitational acceleration vector (\( \vec{a}_g \)) points toward the Sun, demonstrating the radial direction of gravitational force acting on the planet. 5. **Directional Arrows:** - A dashed line extends from the planet to the Sun, marked as "+ Radial Direction." - A perpendicular dashed line to the velocity vector indicates the "+ Tangential Direction." 6. **Angle Indicator:** - The angle between the radial direction and the gravitational acceleration (\( \vec{a}_g \)) is marked as 20°. This visual representation aids in understanding how planetary orbits are governed by gravitational forces and velocities, contributing to the understanding of celestial mechanics.
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