Question

venuss orbital eccentricity is 0.0068 which is almost a perfect circle while mercurys orbital eccentricity is 0.206 which is stretched out into more of an oval shape. true or false: mercurys distance from the sun would change, causing it to speed up and slow down, while venuss distance and speed would stay the same. (1 point) o true o false

Explanation:

Step1: Understand orbital eccentricity

Orbital eccentricity measures how much an orbit deviates from a perfect circle.

Step2: Analyze Venus

Venus has low eccentricity (0.0068), so its orbit is nearly circular. Its distance from the Sun changes minimally, and its speed remains relatively constant.

Step3: Analyze Mercury

Mercury has higher eccentricity (0.206), so its orbit is more oval - shaped. Its distance from the Sun varies significantly. According to Kepler's laws, a planet's speed changes as its distance from the Sun changes (faster when closer, slower when farther).

Answer:

True