Why is the specific angular momentum equal to this?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
Bob Jones
Messages
18
Reaction score
1
From a wiki's vis-viva equation page, it is given that the specific angular momentum h is also equal to the following:

h = wr^2 = ab * n

How can ab * n be derived to be equal to the angular momentum using elliptical orbit energy/momentum/other equations without having to use calculus or equations involving eccentricity?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Oh... Wait. This is the old version of this. I understand how it works now. Could someone tell me how geometrically or algebraically you can derive b2 = ra * rb?