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Assume a comet is traveling at a constant velocity in deep space. Why would it speed up as it approaches our solar system?


a.) an object under no other outside influences naturally speeds up

b.) a comet's speed is influenced by the length and make-up of the tail it exhibits

c.) the solar system happens to be in the area of the comet's orbit where it normally speeds up

d.) the gravitational force fields of the sun and planets in the solar system accelerates it

Please explain when you answer.

Answer :

scme1702
D
The comet has no net force acting on it, which results in constant velocity. Near our solar system, the influence of the gravitational forces due to the sun and the planets will increase as we know that gravitational force is:
F = GMm/r²
The net force will produce an acceleration on the comet, which will cause its velocity to change.

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