The figure above shows the position of a moon that orbits a planet in an elliptical path. Two specific locations of
the moon, position and position , are labeled.

1. As the moon orbits the planet from position to position , is the magnitude of the planet’s force due to
gravity exerted on the moon constant? Why or why not?
A
Yes, because the masses of the planet and moon remain constant.

B
Yes, because the elliptical path that the moon travels around the planet is the same for all revolutions.

C
No, because the tangential speed of the moon is always changing.

D
No, because the moon’s distance from the planet is always changing.