Answer:
V = 61,131.45 mi/h
Explanation:
In this case, we need to use the expression for linear momentum which is:
L = mVd
Where:
m = mass of the object
V = speed of the object
d = distance of the object or radius.
We also need to know that the law of conservation of energy is applied here, so:
L1 = L2
We can say that L1 would be the linear momentum of the comet at it's farthest point and L2 would be the linear momentum of the comet at it's closest point. Then, the expressions for linear momentum for both cases are:
m*V1*d1 = m*V2*d2
And now, all we need to do is calculate V2. So solving for V2:
V2 = m*V1*d1 / m*d2
V2 = V1*d1 / d2
Replacing all the data we have:
V2 = 490,000,000 * 15,470 / 124,000,000
V2 = 61,131.45 mi/h
