Answer to Question #169583 in Classical Mechanics for Rohan

Question

Assume that (a) the earth is a sphere of radius R with uniform density and (b) the earth exerts only the gravitational force on the object even if the object hits and enters the earth.

(a) The total energy remains the same in the entire motion.

(b) The angular momentum remains the same in the entire motion.

(c) The whole path of the object is elliptical

(d) The motion of the object remains bound

Answer 1

YES (a) The total energy remains the same in the entire motion.

YES (b) The angular momentum remains the same in the entire motion.

YES (c) The whole path of the object is elliptical

YES (d) The motion of the object remains bound