 |
Ask A Scientist©
Astronomy Archive
|
 |
Orbital speeds of planets
Author: duncan b smith
Why do planets closer to the Sun travel faster than the outer planets?
Response #: 1 of 1
Author: jasjeet s bagla
The speed with which planets move around the Sun is proportional to the
force of Sun at the planet's position. The force falls off with distance as
inverse square so the planets closer to the Sun experience a larger force
and hence move faster. This is a rough description. A more rigorous
approach will involve mathematical constructs like the gravitational
potential.
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators.
Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs, Harold Myron, Ph.D., Division Director.