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GK QUESTION#3032

A test body moves only under the time-independent gravitational field of a stationary spherical central mass. Which quantities are conserved, with angular momentum measured about that centre?

  1. AOnly linear momentum
  2. BPotential energy and linear momentum
  3. CKinetic energy and linear momentum
  4. DAngular momentum and mechanical energyCorrect answer
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Answer

D. Angular momentum and mechanical energy

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Explanation

In the ideal motion of a test body in the fixed gravitational field of a stationary spherical central mass, the force is central and conservative. Angular momentum about that centre and kinetic plus gravitational potential energy are conserved. Kinetic and potential energy need not be separately constant.

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