Question

For a satellite with an elliptical orbit and not a circular orbit, the kinetic energy varies with time.

(a) True

(b) False

I have been asked this question by my school principal while I was bunking the class.

I'm obligated to ask this question of Gravitation in portion Gravitation of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) True

Best explanation: The kinetic energy of a satellite is;

KE = (1/2) x (G x m x M)/(R+h)

h: Height above the surface of the planet

For an elliptical orbit, “h” changes with time. Hence, the kinetic energy also varies with time.