The reason why a comet speeds up when it gets close to the Sun is because the force (exerted by the Sun) gets bigger as the comet moves toward the Sun. Bigger force, bigger speed.” What's wrong with that analysis?

Question

tacotime · Answer

The force doesn't increase when something gets closer because the equation for force is force = mass * acceleration, which has nothing to do with proximity.

lbarrientos1 · Answer

ah... you're right!

irishboy123 · Answer

@lbarrientos1

your reasoning is correct

Newton's Gravitation Law is inverse square

$$F = \dfrac{GMm}{r^2}$$