The earth revolves about the sun in an elliptical orbit with mean radius `9.3xx10^(7) m` in a period of 1 year. Assuming that there are no outside influences

Options

A. The earth's potential energy remains constant
B. The earth's kinetic energy remains constants
C. The earth's angular momentum remains constant
D. The earth's linear momentum remains constant

Answer

C

Explanation

when the earth revolves in a elliptical orbit, its potential and kinetic energies change with its position w.r.t. the sun. However, in the absence of any external torque, its angular momentum remains constant. Similarly its linear velocity changes continuously. Hence its linear momentum does not remain constant.