- #1
WWCY
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- 14
Homework Statement
Why is the magnitude of Angular Momentum for an elliptical orbit as such?
$$l = mr^2\dot{\phi}$$
where ##\dot{\phi}## represents angular momentum.
I have always assumed that angular momentum was $$l = r \times P = mr \times V = mrVsin(\theta) = mr^2\dot{\phi} sin(\theta)$$
And since the angle (taken to be ##\theta##) between the ##r## and ##V## vectors isn't always a right angle, shouldn't angular momentum for elliptical orbits be defined with the sine term?
Assistance is greatly appreciated!