Physics Review Question

Unit: type the regents category here
Year: 1990 Question#: 68
Question: The Earth is closest to the Sun during January and farthest form the Sun during July. During which month is the gravitational potential energy of the earth with respect to the sun greatest?

(1 ) January
(2 ) March
(3 ) July
(4 ) September

What is this question really asking?


Explanation by: Simon

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Answer 1

January

INCORRECT

Think of a ball which represents earth, and the ground represents the sun. 1 ft from the ground represents how far the earth is from the sun during January and 5 ft represents how far the earth is from the sun in July. Now in which position does the ball have the most potential energy with respect the ground? At the 5 ft position, so likewise in July when the earth is furthest from the sun (July) it has the greatest potential energy with respect to the sun. return to top

Answer 2

March

INCORRECT

There is no reason to believe that March would be the correct answer because the question says during which month the earth is closest and furthest from the sun. And from the explanation in question 1 the earth has the most potential energy when it is furthest from the sun, which happens in July. return to top





Answer 3
July

CORRECT

July is the correct answer because of the explanation to question 1, the earth is furthest from the sun during July. return to top


Answer 4
September

INCORRECT

Like March, is there any reason why September should be the correct answer, we already know that in July the earth is furthest from the sun. return to top






What's this question really asking?

Whether you know that like objects on earth, planets they have more potential energy when they are further from the gravitating object. return to top

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