The total energy of a circularly orbiting satellite is

Question

The total energy of a circularly orbiting satellite is (A) twice the kinetic energy of the satellite (B) half the kinetic energy of the satellite (C) twice the potential energy of the satellite (D) equal to the potential energy of the satellite

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Potential energy =-(GMm/r) Total energy =-(GMm/2r) Hence, the total energy of a circularly orbiting satellite is half the potential energy of the satellite.

Q. The total energy of a circularly orbiting satellite is

twice the kinetic energy of the satellite

half the kinetic energy of the satellite

twice the potential energy of the satellite

equal to the potential energy of the satellite

half the potential energy of the satellite

Potential energy $= - \frac{GM m}{r}$
Total energy $= - \frac{GM m}{2 r}$
Hence, the total energy of a circularly orbiting satellite is half the potential energy of the satellite.