A planet is orbiting the sun in an elliptical orbit. Let U denote the potential energy and K denote the kinetic energy of the planet at an arbitrary point on the orbit. Choose the correct statement.

Question

A planet is orbiting the sun in an elliptical orbit. Let U denote the potential energy and K denote the kinetic energy of the planet at an arbitrary point on the orbit. Choose the correct statement. (A) K<|U| always (B) K>|U| always (C) K=|U| always (D) K=|U| for two positions of the planet in the orbit

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

For a satellite or planet, if total energy is E, then kinetic energy, K=-E and potential energy, U=2 E where, E is negative. So, |U|>K.

Q. A planet is orbiting the sun in an elliptical orbit. Let $U$ denote the potential energy and $K$ denote the kinetic energy of the planet at an arbitrary point on the orbit. Choose the correct statement.

$K < ∣ U ∣$ always

$K > ∣ U ∣$ always

$K = ∣ U ∣$ always

$K = ∣ U ∣$ for two positions of the planet in the orbit

For a satellite or planet, if total energy is $E$ , then
kinetic energy, $K = - E$
and potential energy, $U = 2 E$
where, $E$ is negative.
So, $∣ U ∣ > K$ .

Q. A planet is orbiting the sun in an elliptical orbit. Let U denote the potential energy and K denote the kinetic energy of the planet at an arbitrary point on the orbit. Choose the correct statement.

K<∣U∣ always

K>∣U∣ always

K=∣U∣ always

K=∣U∣ for two positions of the planet in the orbit