Consider the following statements : 1. The earth does not move along its orbit at a constant rate. 2. The earth moves fastest at perihelion and slowest at aphelion. The above statements are true of which one of the following laws ?

The statements provided describe the orbital dynamics of Earth, which are governed by Kepler’s second law of planetary motion, also known as the Law of Equal Areas [1][t1]. This law states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time [c1][c4]. Consequently, the Earth does not move at a constant rate; its orbital speed increases as it nears the Sun and decreases as it moves away [c1][t5]. Specifically, the Earth moves fastest at perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) and slowest at aphelion (farthest point) [t1][t5]. While Newton's laws explain the gravitational force causing this motion, the specific geometric relationship of varying speeds at different orbital points is the defining characteristic of Kepler's second law [t1][t5].

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > Duration of Seasons > p. 257