Question

For a satellite moving in an orbit around the earth, the ratio of kinetic energy to potential energy is :

• A. 4
• B. $\frac{1}{2}$
• C. $\frac{1}{\sqrt 2}$
• D. $\frac{1}{4}$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$\frac{1}{2}$

Answer 2

The satellite's potential energy is equal to $\frac{-GMm}{r}$.
Satellite's Kinetic Energy equals $\frac{GMm}{2r}$, where G is the gravitational constant.
The planet's mass is M, and the satellite's mass is M.
R stands for radius.
The necessary ratio is $\frac{1}{2}$ = $\frac{(\frac{Gm}{2r})}{(\frac{GMm}{r})}$
Kinetic energy to potential energy is split in half.

Therefore, the correct option is (B): $\frac{1}{2}$