Question

Describe the extent to which you think earths orbital speed change throughout the year? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Earth distance from sun:

perihelion = 1.471 * 10E8 km (nearest approach)

aphelion = 1.521 * 10E8 km (farthest distance)

M Vp Rp = M Va Ra conservation of angular momentum

Vp / Va = Ra / Rp = 1.521 / 1.471 = 1.034

So the speed change from min to max is about 3.4 %