🎡ap physics 1 review

Elliptical orbit

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

An orbital path in which a satellite's distance from a central object varies, resulting in constant total mechanical energy and angular momentum, but variable gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.

AP course connection

Topic 6.6: 6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites

Unit 6

"Elliptical orbit" also found in: