In order to sweep out equal areas in equal times , a satellite must be moving faster when closest to the earth. See a clever animation . Since the path has a slightly elliptical nature to it, the force and acceleration vector are not necessarily perpendicular to this velocity vector. The perpendicular orientation of the F and a vectors relative to the v vector is unique to circular motion. An excellent and informative graphic about this can be found online.
Gravitational forces vary inversely with distance.
Thus, a planet will experience less force when furthest from the sun. You might really need to view the informative graphic . Short Answer 11. Explain how something can be traveling the same speed yet be accelerating at the same time. The object would have to be traveling in a curved path since it is accelerating.