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Question
Consider a planet moving in an elliptical orbit round the sun. The work done on the planet by the gravitational force of the sun
(a) is zero in any small part of the orbit
(b) is zero in some parts of the orbit
(c) is zero in one complete revolution
(d) is zero in no part of the motion.
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Solution
(b) is zero in some parts of the orbit
(c) is zero in one complete revolution
When a planet is moving in an elliptical orbit, at some point, the line joining the centre of the Sun and the planet is perpendicular to the velocity of the planet. For that instant, work done by the gravitational force on the planet becomes zero. As there is no net increase in the speed of the planet after one complete revolution about the Sun, the work done by the gravitational force on the planet in one complete revolution is zero.
Note:For elliptical orbits angle between force ans velocity is always 90 so there the work done is zero in any small part of the orbit.
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