The kinetic energies of a planet in an elliptical orbit around the Sun, at positions A, B and C are , and respectively. AC is the major axis and SB is perpendicular to AC at the position of the Sun S, as shown in the figure. Then:
According to Kepler's Second Law (Law of Areas) and the conservation of angular momentum, a planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun and slower when it is farther away.
Thus, the order of kinetic energies is .
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