Question

A satellite is in an orbit around the earth. If its kinetic energy is doubled, then

• A. it will maintain its path
• B. it will fall on the earth
• C. it will rotate with a great speed
• D. it will escape out of earth?? gravitational field

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

it will escape out of earth?? gravitational field

Answer 2

Kinetic energy, $K=\frac{1}{2}m\upsilon_{0}^{2}$ or$\quad v_{0}=\sqrt{\frac{2k}{m}}$ When kinetic energy is doubled, then $v'_{0}=\sqrt{\frac{2\times2K}{m}}=\sqrt{2}\sqrt{\frac{2K}{m}}=\sqrt{2v_{0}}$ But $\sqrt{2v_{0}}=v_{e}$ (escape velocity) Hence satellite will escape out of earth?? gravitational field.