Question
0. If the eccentricity of the orbit were changed to 0.000, what would happen to the position of the Sun the shape of the orbit, and the velocity of the planet? Answer
Solution
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Xavier
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Answer
If the eccentricity of a planet's orbit were changed to 0.000, the following would happen:* **Position of the Sun:** The Sun would be located at the exact center of the orbit. An eccentricity of 0 defines a perfect circle, and the Sun occupies the central point of a circular orbit.* **Shape of the Orbit:** The orbit would become a perfect circle. Eccentricity is a measure of how elongated an ellipse is. An eccentricity of 0 represents no elongation at all, hence a circle.* **Velocity of the Planet:** The planet's orbital velocity would become constant. In an elliptical orbit, a planet travels faster when it is closer to the Sun and slower when it is farther away. In a perfectly circular orbit, the distance to the Sun remains constant, resulting in a constant orbital velocity.