Question

A satellite is moving in a circular orbit around the earth with the diameter of orbit 2R . At a certain point a rocket fixed to the satellite is fired such that it increases the velocity of the earth satellite tangentially . The resulting orbit of the satellite would be <br />(a) same as before <br />(b) circular orbit with diameter greater than 2R <br />(c) elliptical orbit with minimum distance from the earth equal to R<br />(d) elliptical orbit with maximum distance from the earth equal to R.<br /><br />P.S :answer is option (c) ...but can you explain * why? *and * how ? *

Answer 1

For example- lets take your question. If you fire a rocket to increase it’s speed you will reduce the average radius of it’s orbit. This has led to the analogy that in order to speed up- hit the brakes and in order to slow down hit the accelerator.