Kepler's Second Law of planetary motion (Law of Areas) is a direct consequence of the conservation of:
A. Total Mechanical Energy
B. Kinetic Energy
C. Linear Momentum
D. Angular Momentum
Answer: Option D
Solution (By JKExamLibrary)
Kepler's Second Law states that the line joining a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time (areal velocity is constant). Because the gravitational force is a central force (acting strictly along the radius vector), it exerts zero torque on the planet. When net torque is zero, angular momentum is strictly conserved.
Explanation:
For equal distances: average speed = total distance/total time = 2d/(d/v₁ + d/v₂) = 2v₁v₂/(v₁+v₂). This is harmonic mean, not arithmetic. Memory tip: Equal distances ⇒ harmonic mean of speeds; equal times ⇒ arithmetic mean. Frequently tested kinematics concept distinguishing average speed calculation methods.
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