Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2021/iii/paper-316/1/ii/solution

Let be the specific angular momentum. The radial Kepler orbit equation has semi-latus rectum , so comparison with
gives for an elliptic orbit and for a hyperbolic Kepler orbit. At either apsis, and . Substituting the apsidal radius and angular momentum into part (i), or equivalently using the vis-viva equation, gives
Thus the signs are in the convention of the question.

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