Question

Find the angular momentum of Mars and the Moon?

Answer 1

(i) The angular momentum of Mars which will be given by -

L_mars = 2 m r² / T

where, m = mass of the Mars = 6.42 x 10²³ kg

T = orbital time period = 686.98 days = 59355072 s

r = orbital radius of the Mars = 228 x 10⁶ km = 228 x 10⁹ m

then, we get

L_mars = [(6.28) (6.42 x 10²³ kg) (228 x 10⁹ m)² / (59355072 s)]

L_mars = 3.53 x 10³⁹ kg.m²/s

(ii) The angular momentum of Moon which will be given by -

L_moon = 2 m r² / T

where, m = mass of the Moon = 7.35 x 10²² kg

T = orbital time period = 27.32 days = 2360448 s

r = orbital radius of the Moon = 384 x 10³ km = 384 x 10⁶ m

then, we get

L_moon = [(6.28) (7.35 x 10²² kg) (384 x 10⁶ m)² / (2360448 s)]

L_moon = 2.88 x 10³⁴ kg.m²/s