P17 Space Flashcards
1
Q
Why are orbiting bodies considered to be accelerating?
A
They are constantly changing direction
2
Q
What forces cause a planet to accelerate during orbit?
A
gravity
3
Q
How does a body sustain a circular orbital pattern?
A
Due to the balances between the gravitational pull towards the centre of mass of a system and the instantaneous velocity, which acts at right angles to the gravitational force
4
Q
Why does the speed of a planet increase if it is closer to a star?
A
The gravitational forces acting on it are stronger, so it moves faster to resist this and sustain a stable orbit
