Question 12 Marks
Choose the correct alternative: If the zero of potential energy is at infinity, the total energy of an orbiting satellite is negative of its kinetic/ potential energy.
Answer
View full question & answer→Kinetic energy.Explanation:
Total mechanical energy of a satellite is the sum of its kinetic energy (always positive) and potential energy (may be negative). At infinity, the gravitational potential energy of the satellite is zero. As the Earth-satellite system is a bound system, the total energy of the satellite is negative. Thus, the total energy of an orbiting satellite at infinity is equal to the negative of its kinetic energy.
Total mechanical energy of a satellite is the sum of its kinetic energy (always positive) and potential energy (may be negative). At infinity, the gravitational potential energy of the satellite is zero. As the Earth-satellite system is a bound system, the total energy of the satellite is negative. Thus, the total energy of an orbiting satellite at infinity is equal to the negative of its kinetic energy.



The gravitational force of attraction provides the necessary centripetal force.