Halley's Comet Moves About the Sun in an Elliptical Orbit

question 45

Short Answer

Halley's comet moves about the sun in an elliptical orbit with its closest approach to the sun being 0.59 A.U. and its furthest distance being 35 A.U. [1 Astronomical Unit (A.U.) is the Earth-sun distance.] If the comet's speed at closest approach is 54 km/s, what is its speed when it is farthest from the sun?

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Definitions:

Cubic Millimeters

A unit of volume measurement in the metric system, equal to one millimeter by one millimeter by one millimeter, used to quantify very small volumes.

Cubic Inches

A unit of volume measurement used primarily in the United States, commonly in reference to the displacement volume of engine cylinders.

Separate Camshafts

The use of distinct camshafts for the intake and exhaust valves in an engine, allowing for improved engine performance.

Intake Valves

Mechanical components in an engine that open and close to allow the mixture of air and fuel into the combustion chamber for ignition.