question_answer

A satellite S is moving in an elliptical orbit around the earth. The mass of the satellite is very small compared to the mass of earth                           [IIT 1998]

A) The acceleration of S is always directed towards the centre of the earth

B)             The angular momentum of S about the centre of the earth changes in direction but its magnitude remains constant

C)             The total mechanical energy of S varies periodically with time

D)             The linear momentum of S remains constant in magnitude