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Question 8

The dwarf planet Ceres orbits the Sun.

a.

Ceres takes 1682 days1682\text{ days}1682 days to complete one full orbit around the Sun. The mean radius of its orbit is 414 million km414\text{ million km}414 million km.

Calculate the average orbital speed of Ceres. State your units clearly.

[4]
b.

Comets also orbit the Sun.

Name the fundamental force responsible for keeping both Ceres and comets in orbit around the Sun.

[1]
c.

Describe the shape of a typical comet's orbit and compare it with the orbit of Ceres.

[1]
d.

Identify the position in its orbit where a comet travels at its maximum speed, and explain why it is fastest at this point.

[2]
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