A particle falls freely near the surface of the earth. Consider a fixed point O (not vertically below the particle) on the ground.
Select all that apply

Question

A particle falls freely near the surface of the earth. Consider a fixed point O (not vertically below the particle) on the ground.

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

About fixed point O, gravitational torque magnitude mg times the constant horizontal separation is constant, so angular momentum changes linearly. The particle approaches the vertical through O, so its moment of inertia decreases and angular speed increases. Thus A,C,D.