A planet is moving around the sun in an elliptical orbit at different positions A, B, C, D. The maximum…
A planet is moving around the sun in an elliptical orbit at different positions A, B, C, D. The maximum rotational kinetic energy of a planet is at postion.
D
B
A
C
Solution
Concept: Angular momentum is always conserved as the torque (or forces) between sun and the planet is internal.
$L=m v r$
When a planet is closest to the sun ( $r$ is minimum), it attains its highest orbital velocity ( $v$ is maximum), thus attaining maximum Kinetic Energy. So, the K.E of the planet will be maximum at point C.
