A comet orbits the sun in a highly elliptical orbit. Does the comet have a constant (a) linear speed, (b) angular speed, (c) angular momentum, (d) kinetic energy, (e) potential energy, (f) total energy throughout its orbit? Neglect any mass loss of the comet when it comes very close to the Sun.
a)
In an elliptical orbit, the linear speed of a comet is not constant because the distance of the comet from the sun is continuously changes in an elliptical orbit.
b)
Since, different angles are covered in equal interval of time, the angular speed of the comet is different throughout the orbit.
c)
The angular momentum of the comet is same throughout due to conservation of angular momentum in absence of any torque.
d)
Kinetic energy is not constant as linear speed is different at different point of the orbit.
e)
The potential energy at different points is different because the comet is not at the same distance from the sun (the orbit is not circular).
f)
The total energy of comet remains the same throughout the motion.
Thus, the comet does not have constant linear speed, angular speed, kinetic energy and potential energy whereas, angular momentum and total energy is constant throughout the orbit.
a)
In an elliptical orbit, the linear speed of a comet is not constant because the distance of the comet from the sun is continuously changes in an elliptical orbit.
b)
Since, different angles are covered in equal interval of time, the angular speed of the comet is different throughout the orbit.
c)
The angular momentum of the comet is same throughout due to conservation of angular momentum in absence of any torque.
d)
Kinetic energy is not constant as linear speed is different at different point of the orbit.
e)
The potential energy at different points is different because the comet is not at the same distance from the sun (the orbit is not circular).
f)
The total energy of comet remains the same throughout the motion.
Thus, the comet does not have constant linear speed, angular speed, kinetic energy and potential energy whereas, angular momentum and total energy is constant throughout the orbit.
