Question

A satellite is revolving around the earth in circular orbit. The total energy of satellite is $E$ and gravitational potential energy is $U$, then $E = \frac{U}{n}$. Find n.

Answer 1

2

Answer 2

For a satellite in a circular orbit, the total energy $E = -\frac{GMm}{2r}$ and the gravitational potential energy $U = -\frac{GMm}{r}$. Given $E = \frac{U}{n}$, substituting the expressions yields $-\frac{GMm}{2r} = \frac{-\frac{GMm}{r}}{n}$. This simplifies to $\frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{n}$, so $n=2$.