Question

An artificial satellite moving in a circular orbit around the earth has a total (kinetic $+$ potential) energy $E_0$. Its potential energy is

• A. $-E_0$
• B. $1.5 \,E_0$
• C. $2 \,E_0$
• D. $E_0$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$2 \,E_0$

Answer 2

Potential energy $=2 \times$ (Total energy) $=2 E_{0}$ Because we know $U=-\frac{G M m}{r}$ $E_{0}=-\frac{G M m}{2 r}$