Question

keplers second law quick check
according to keplers second law of motion, which statement describes the area swept out by a line between a planet and the sun? (1 point)
○ it increases as the planet approaches the sun.
○ it increases as the planet moves away from the sun.
○ it is constant if the planet moves at a constant speed.
○ it is constant for equal times.

Explanation:

Kepler's second law (law of equal areas) states that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time. So the area swept out by the line between a planet and the sun is constant for equal times. The other options are incorrect: the area doesn't increase as the planet approaches or moves away (the planet's speed changes to keep the area swept in equal time constant), and the planet does not move at a constant speed in its orbit (it moves faster near the Sun and slower far from it).

Answer:

D. It is constant for equal times.