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Q108 (IAS/1997) Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Astronomy and astrophysics Answer Verified

The planet Mercury is revolving in an elliptical orbit around the sun as shown in the given figure. The kinetic energy of mercury is greatest at the point labelled

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

In an elliptical orbit a planet’s speed increases as it approaches the Sun and decreases as it recedes, by Kepler’s second law; since kinetic energy KE = ½mv², KE is largest where speed v is largest, i.e., at closest approach (perihelion) [1]. In standard textbook orbital diagrams the perihelion (closest point to the Sun) is labeled point A in the referenced figure, so the kinetic energy of Mercury is greatest at A. Thus the correct choice is option 1 (A).

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
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