Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Perihelion is the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet where it is closest to the Sun. Calculations involving perihelion often require integral calculus to determine orbital parameters and distances.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The distance at perihelion can be calculated using definite integrals in polar coordinates.
Kepler's laws of planetary motion describe the behavior of planets at perihelion, which can be derived using integral calculus.
The area swept out by a planet between two points in its orbit can be computed with integrals, particularly when one of those points is perihelion.
The speed of a planet at perihelion is greater than at aphelion due to conservation of angular momentum; this relationship is often explored through integration techniques.
Integral calculus helps in deriving the equations describing energy exchange and forces acting on celestial bodies near perihelion.
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Related terms
Aphelion: The point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet where it is farthest from the Sun.
Kepler's Laws: Three scientific laws describing the motion of planets around the Sun.
Orbital Eccentricity: A parameter that determines how much an orbit deviates from being circular.