Question

What is the total energy possessed by a satellite of mass “m” orbiting above the earth of mass “M” and radius “R” at a height “h”?

(a) [(G*M*m)/2*(R+h)]

(b) -[(G*M*m)/2*(R+h)]

(c) [(G*M*m)/(R+h)]

(d) -[(G*M*m)/(R+h)]

I got this question in an interview.

I need to ask this question from Gravitation in section Gravitation of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) -[(G*M*m)/2*(R+h)]

Best explanation: Total energy (E) of a satellite is the sum of its potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE).

PE = – (G x M x m)/(R+h)

KE = (G x M x m)/(2 x (R+h))

E = PE + KE

 = -(G x M x m)/(R+h) + (G x M x m)/(2 x (R+h))

 = -(G x M x m)/(2 x (R+h)).