Question

The potential energy of a satellite is given as
$PE =\lambda( KE )$
where, $P E=$ potential energy of the satellite
and $ KE =$ kinetic energy of the satellite.
The value of the constant $\lambda$ is

• A. $-2$
• B. $2$
• C. $-1 / 2$
• D. $+1 / 2$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

PE of satellite $=\frac{-G m M_{E}}{\left(R_{E}+h\right)} $ ..... (i)
KE of satellite $=+\frac{1}{2} \frac{G m M_{E}}{\left(R_{E}+h\right)} $ .....(ii)
From Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get
$PE =-2 KE$
$\Rightarrow \lambda =-2$