Question

For a satellite moving in an orbit around the
earth, the ratio of kinetic energy to potential
energy is
a) 2
b) 1/2
c) 1/√2
d) √2​

Answer 1

Explanation:

We know that,

Potential energy,

U=−

R

e

GM

e

m

Where,

M

e

=Mass of the earth

m=Mass of satellite

R

e

= Radius of the earth

G= Gravitational constant

Now,

∣U∣=

R

e

GM

e

m

Now, kinetic energy

K=

2

1

R

e

GM

e

m

Now,

∣U∣

K

=

2

1

R

e

GM

e

m

×

GM

e

m

R

e

∣U∣

K

=

2

1

Hence, the ratio of kinetic energy to potential energy is

2

1