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CGP EDU Academic Team
Published on: September 12, 2026
In an elliptical orbit under gravitational force, in general
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In an elliptical orbit, the planet or object moves under the influence of gravitational force, which varies with distance. A few key points to consider:
- Tangential velocity is not constant: As the object moves closer to the central body (like a planet or sun) in an elliptical orbit, it speeds up due to gravitational attraction, and slows down as it moves away.
- Angular velocity is not constant: The angular velocity also changes as the distance from the focal point varies throughout the orbit.
- Radial velocity varies: The radial component of velocity, which is the speed at which the object moves closer to or farther from the center, also changes depending on its position along the orbit.
- Areal velocity is constant: According to Kepler's second law (the law of areas), the line joining the planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times, meaning the areal velocity (area swept out per unit time) remains constant.
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