CAIE IGCSE Physics Orbital Speed and Energy Conservation

Practise locating maximum and minimum orbital speed and explain the change through transfers between gravitational potential and kinetic energy.

Exam points

identify greatest speed closest to the Sun and slowest speed at the furthest orbital point
explain approach to the Sun as gravitational potential energy decreasing while kinetic energy increases
reverse the energy transfer as the object moves away, while total energy remains conserved

[Maximum number: 2]

Fig. 10.1 shows the orbit of an object around the Sun. At point A, the object is closest to the Sun. At point B, the object is furthest away from the Sun.

Fig. 10.1

State and explain the energy transfer as the object travels from point A to point B.
statement
explanation

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6.1.2.10—An object in an elliptical orbit question 1