Proving Kepler's 2nd Law: Pluto's Area Sweep

AI Thread Summary
To prove that Pluto sweeps out equal areas in equal times, the user needs to calculate the areas swept out at perihelion and aphelion using the formula Area = 1/2 x (Distance to sun) x (Current Velocity) x (Time). They have already determined the distances for perihelion and aphelion as 4,425,000,000 km and 7,375,000,000 km, respectively. The minimum orbital velocity of Pluto is given as 3.7 km/s, which can be used for the aphelion calculation, but the user needs to find the velocity at perihelion to complete the proof. The discussion highlights the need for understanding how to apply Kepler's laws and the relationship between distance, velocity, and area in orbital mechanics. The user seeks clarification on calculating the velocity at perihelion to finalize their proof.
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Homework Statement



I have to prove that A1=A2, or the fact that planets will sweep out equal areas in equal amounts of time. The planet I have to do this for is Pluto. Basically, I need help finding the area it "sweeps out" over any length of time of my choosing.

Homework Equations



major axis = 11.8 x 10^9 km
eccentricity = .25
minimum orbital velocity = 3.7 km/s

The Attempt at a Solution



So far, I've found the distance of the perihelion and the aphelion.

To do this I did: eccentricity = distance b/w foci / major axis

then i solved for the foci by doing: dis b/w foci = .25 * 11.8e9

that gave me the distance between the foci, so I was able to find out that the perihelion is 4425000000 km away and the aphelion is 7375000000 km.

Now do I just make a triangle for each with the legs being the distance away and the other being time traveled. It's hard to explain, but this picture shows it well:

http://outreach.atnf.csiro.au/education/senior/cosmicengine/images/cosmoimg/kepler2ndlaw.gif

So basically, how do I prove that those two areas equal with the info I now have

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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I believe this equation may help

Area=1/2 x (Distance to sun) x (Current Velocity) x (Time)


so would it be

(.5)(perihelion dis)(?)(anything)

then

(,5)(aphelion dis)(?)(anything)

I put "?"'s in the velocity spot because I don't know how to find the velocity
 
I just noticed that it gives me Pluto's minimum orbital velocity at 3.7 km/s. So would plugging that into the formula above, the area one, give me the area of the aphelion (since it would be going slowest then)? Also, how would I determine the velocity of the perihelion.
 
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