JEE Advanced 2009 Physics question

Under the influence of the Coulomb field of charge +Q, a charge −q is moving around it in an elliptical orbit. Find out the correct statement(s).

(A)The angular momentum of the charge −q is constantCorrect
(B)The linear momentum of the charge −q is constant
(C)The angular velocity of the charge −q is constant
(D)The linear speed of the charge −q is constant

Answer: (A)

Solution

The Coulomb force is central (always along the line to +Q), so its torque about +Q is zero and the angular momentum of −q is conserved (A). In an elliptical orbit the distance changes, so by

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Question ID VK-037776