Why does the earth increases and decreases it orbital speeds?

Question

Can the orbital speed can be increased or decrease artificially to avoid an asteroid collition?

Answer 1

ok, just a stupid response, so i apologize beforehand.

So it doesn't get a speeding ticket, those universal police are tough

Answer 2

The strength of the force of gravity acting on an object in the presence of a second object is inversely proportional to square of the distance (R) between the two relevant objects. In this case the objects are the Earth and the Sun.

The orbit of the earth is elliptical which means that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is not constant. At the times when the Earth is closest to the Sun the value of R is smaller, so the value of R squared is smaller, so the reciprocal of R squared is bigger. Therefore there gravitational attraction increases.

Mathematically this is: F = GMm/R^2. But since M, m and G are all the same throughout this example F = k/R^2.

When the gravitational attraction increases the acceleration of the Earth towards the sun also increases. This is fairly simply seen from Newton's second law of F = ma, i.e. a is proportional to F. The increased acceleration means that the orbital velocity increases.

Answer 3

because the orbit is not a perfect circle. when the earth is closer to the sun, it travels faster, and when farther away, it travels slower

it would take a LOT of energy to change the earth's orbital speed, and dangerous if you could. the slightest mistake could make the orbit larger or smaller, and cause massive climate changes. we dont even have anything even close to the technology necessary to even try it right now.

it would be much more efficient to try to change the speed or direction of the asteroid.

Answer 4

NO. It is not possible for us to change the speed of the earths orbit. The earhts orbital speed is affected by the sun. When the earth is closest to the sun it gains momentum and increases its speed because of the gravity imposed by the sun.

Answer 5

There is an increase of earth's mass in one direction aand a decrease in the other direction, thus changes in orbit energy.

Answer 6

I'm no scientist, but I think the answer is no. Earth's velocity is a combination of many factors and if the rotation speed were changed, it would affect wind currents, ocean currents, the water cycle, and life on earth as we know it. I don't know of any power that humans have access to that could change the rotation speed of the earth.

Answer 7

Terra's orbital speed changes due to its slightly elliptical orbit. As it comes nearer to Sol, The mutual Solar-Terran attraction (gravity) creates a larger force, making Terra move faster in its orbit.

No, you can't alter the orbital speed of Terra.

Answer 8

If the Earth is furthest from the sun, it slows. It speeds up as it is closest thanks to less gravitational force applied on it by the sun. Just think how a tether ball moves when furthest away from the pole it's attached to, and then how fast it moves when it's at its closest point.