STANDARDPhysics-Gravitation

STANDARD Physics Energy of Satellite MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-numerical-Medium-Class 11

A satellite of mass m is orbiting in a circular orbit of radius 2Rₑ about the Earth. The energy required to transfer it to a circular orbit of radius 4Rₑ is (where Mₑ and Rₑ is the mass and radius of the Earth respectively)

A

GMₑm / 2Rₑ

B

GMₑm / 4Rₑ

C

GMₑm / 8Rₑ

D

GMₑm / 16Rₑ

Correct Answer

Option C

Detailed Explanation

The initial total energy of the satellite is Eᵢ = -GMₑm / 4Rₑ. The final total energy is Eᶠ = -GMₑm / 8Rₑ. The change in energy, which is the energy required, is ΔE = Eᶠ - Eᵢ = GMₑm / 8Rₑ.

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