Question

How does the magnitude of the angular momentum of an orbiting planet (with the origin at the Sun) compare at positions A (aphelion) and B (perihelion)?

a) Greater at A
b) Greater at B
c) Equal at both A and B
d) Depends on the eccentricity of the orbit

Answer 1

The magnitude of the angular momentum of an orbiting planet is greater at A (aphelion) compared to B (perihelion) due to the larger moment of inertia at A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the angular momentum of an orbiting planet is greater at A (aphelion) compared to B (perihelion).

Angular momentum is given by the product of the moment of inertia and angular velocity.

At position A (aphelion), the distance between the planet and the Sun is maximum, resulting in a larger moment of inertia compared to position B (perihelion), where the distance is minimum. However, the angular velocity is the same in both positions.

Therefore, as the moment of inertia increases while the angular velocity remains constant, the magnitude of the angular momentum is greater at A (aphelion).