To calculate the orbital angular momentum of an object multiply its
mass M, orbital velocity and distance R
from the sun. The mass and solar
distances are given in the text (Table 6-1) and the orbital velocity can
be determined by dividing the circumference of the planet's orbit:
by the period of its orbit T. Combining these factors
gives an equation for the orbital angular momentum L:
To compare the orbital angular momenta of two objects, we set up a ratio:
.