GRE Physics GR 1777 Problem Solution
018. Classical Mechanics (Angular Momentum)
Solution
Angular momentum in a circular motion is
In this problem, two satellites are identical. So the mass of the satellite is equal. The orbital radius of A is the ratio of the angular momentum of A to twice that of B, so
Since satellites have circular motion, the centripetal force is equal to the gravitational force
Then we can wirte angular momentum as
Therefore, the ratio of the angular momentum is
Answer
(C) $latex \\sqrt{2}$
Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_momentum#Scalar_—_angular_momentum_in_two_dimensions
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