The path of a very small satellite S in an elliptical orbit around a massive sph

Question

The path of a very small satellite S in an elliptical orbit around a massive spherical planet P is shown in the figure. The distance from 3 to 4 is the same as from 4 to 5, 9 to 10, and 10 to 11. Choose: True, False, Greater than, Less than, or Equal to

A. For the orbit of S shown, P could be located at X.

B. The angular momentum of S is constant

C. The magnitude of the force on S at '2' is ... at '8'

D. The speed at S at position '1' is ... at '7'.

E. S has a minimum speed at '4'

F. The total PE + KE at '3' is .... at '4'.

G. The KE of S is constant.

Explanation / Answer

Figure not given... A. For the orbit of S shown, P could be located at X. TRUE (the planet could be at either focus of the ellipse) B) The angular momentum of S is constant. FALSE ( as the satellite's distance from the planet varies,its speed varies (and its PE and KE change accordingly)) C) The magnitude of the force on S at `2' is .... at `8'. LESS THAN D) F) The speed of S at position `1' is .... at `7'. LESS THAN (ppos 1 and pos 7 look to be the same distance from the planet, if so, the speeds are the same) E) S has a minimum speed at '4' LESS THAN F) The total PE + KE at '3' is .... at '4'. Equals to (the total mechanical energy (KE+PE) is always the same) G) The KE of S is constant. FALSE

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