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PHY 101 PHY 101 Past Questions Objective Question
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Question

For a satellite in a circular orbit around the Earth, the total mechanical energy E is:
Options
A Positive and equal to the kinetic energy.
B Negative and equal to half the potential energy.
Correct Answer
C Positive and equal to half the potential energy.
D Zero.
Correct Answer

Option B is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

For a circular orbit, K = GMm/(2r) and U = -GMm/r. Therefore, total energy E = K + U = GMm/(2r) - GMm/r = -GMm/(2r). This is negative and is indeed half of the potential energy (since U = -2K).

Hint

Substitute the expression for kinetic energy derived from F_c = F_g into E = K + U.

Question Info

Course: PHY 101
Topic: PHY 101 Past Questions
Type: Objective
Difficulty: Not specified
Question 542 of 1250
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