Escaping the Solar System Finally we will calculate the total energy of Halley's comet and answer whether or not it isbound for eternity*?Its elliptical period is 75.32 years. Its closest distance to the sun is 0.586 au and the furthestdistance is 35.082 au. Its maximum speed is when it is closest to the sun and is 54.5 km/s.Calculate the total energy when it is closest to the sun and when it is furthest from the sun.

Given: Elliptical period of Halley's comet =75.32 years Closest distance from the sun =0.586 au Furthest distance from the sun =35.082 au Maximum speed of comet when closest to the sun =54.5 km/s Calculation: Angular momentum is conserved here. Using conservation of angular momentum, we have Laphelion=Lperihelion mra2ωa=mrp2ωpand ω=vr⇒ra va=rp vpva=rp vpra =0.586×54.535.082 =0.91So velocity at the farthest distance is 0.91 km/s.NOTE:"perihelion is the closest distance" and "apehelion is the farthest distance".From here using the well known formula of total energy, total energy can be calculated.

Answered: Escaping the Solar System

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Escaping the Solar System