The discussion centers on the relationship between angular velocity and torque in orbital mechanics, specifically addressing how angular velocity changes without net torque. Participants clarify that while angular momentum remains constant in the absence of torque, angular velocity can vary due to geometric factors as an object moves further from a star. The conversation highlights that a decrease in tangential velocity or an increase in radius leads to reduced angular velocity, emphasizing the distinction between angular momentum and angular velocity in non-rigid bodies.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, astrophysicists, and anyone interested in the dynamics of orbital motion and angular momentum conservation.
Yes, that is how I see it.uSee2 said:So essentially, we can't use ##\tau = I\alpha## for non-rigid body motion?