A comet orbits the sun in a highly elliptical orbit Does the comet have a constant:

A comet orbits the sun in a highly elliptical orbit Does the comet have a constant:
(a) Linear speed, (b) Angular speed, © Angular momentum, (d) Kinetic energy, (e) Potential energy, (f) Total energy throughout it orbit ?
Neglect mass loss of the comet when it comes very close to the sun ?

(b) The angular speed of the comet also change because it covers different angle in equal interval of time.
© The angular momentum of the comet is same
throughout due to die conservation of angular momentum in the absence of any torque.
(d) Kinetic energy changes because linear speed is different at different points.
(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 remain the same throughout the motion.

1 Like