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A star like the sun has several bodies moving around it at different distances. Consider that all of them are moving in circular orbits. Let r be the distance of the body from the centre of the star and let its linear velocity be v, angular velocity w, kinetic energy K, gravitational potential energy U, total energy E and angular momentum 1. As the radius r of the orbit increases, determine which of the above quantities increases and which ones decreases. |
Answer» Consider a body of mass m is rotating around the star s in circular path of radius r. (i) Orbital velocity – vo = \(\sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}\) or v ∝ \(\frac{1}{\sqrt r}\) Orbital Velocity decreases (ii) Angular velocity \(\frac{2\pi}{T}\) By Kepler’s III law T2 \(\propto\) r3 or T2 = Kr3 \(\omega\) = \(\frac{2\pi}{Kr^{\frac{3}{2}}}\) or \(\omega\) \(\propto\) \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{r^3}}\) Hence, angular velocity decreases. (iii) Kinetic Energy, K = \(\frac{1}{2}\)m\(\frac{GM}{r}\) or K \(\propto\) \(\frac{1}{r}\) Hence K, decreases on increasing the radius. (iv) Gravitational Potential Energy, U = \(-\frac{GMm}{r}\) or U \(\propto\) \(\frac{-1}{2}\) So, on increasing radius of circular orbit the U increases. (v) Total energy, E = K + U = \(\frac{GMm}{2r}+\big(-\frac{Gmm}{r}\big)\) E = −\(\frac{GMm}{2r}\) So, increasing the radius, E will also be increased. (vi) Angular momentum, L = mvr = mr\(\sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}\) L = m\(\sqrt{GMr}\) or L \(\propto\) \(\sqrt r\), increases |
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