Let's say the Earth moves around the Sun in a circular orbit with a constant speed (neither is completely true, but they're very close, so let's just say it's true). Select the most correct statement about the work done on the Earth. A. The work done on the Earth is negative, since it is technically "falling" into the Sun, so its energy is decreasing. B. The work done on the Earth is zero, since the force of gravity is always perpendicular to the Earth's direction of motion. C. The work done on the Earth is zero, since the centripetal force cancels out the Sun's force of gravity. D. The work done on the Earth is positive, since it is technically "falling" into the Sun, its potential energy is decreasing, meaning its kinetic energy is increasing. E. The work done on the Earth is positive, since there is a net force on the Earth (the Sun's force of gravity) which is constantly changing the direction of the Earth's velocity.
Let's say the Earth moves around the Sun in a circular orbit with a constant speed (neither is completely true, but they're very close, so let's just say it's true). Select the most correct statement about the work done on the Earth.
A. The work done on the Earth is negative, since it is technically "falling" into the Sun, so its energy is decreasing. B. The work done on the Earth is zero, since the force of gravity is always perpendicular to the Earth's
direction of motion.
C. The work done on the Earth is zero, since the
D. The work done on the Earth is positive, since it is technically "falling" into the Sun, its potential energy is decreasing, meaning its kinetic energy is increasing.
E. The work done on the Earth is positive, since there is a net force on the Earth (the Sun's force of gravity) which is constantly changing the direction of the Earth's velocity.
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