Two identical satellites A and B revolve in separate circular orbits of radii and…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
Two identical satellites A and B revolve in separate circular orbits of radii r and 2r respectively around the same planet of mass M. Neglect the mass of each satellite compared with M.
(i) Determine the ratio of the orbital speeds vA:vB.
(ii) Find the ratio of their kinetic energies KA:KB.
(iii) Find the ratio of their total mechanical energies EA:EB.
(iv) State whether the magnitude of the potential energy of satellite A is greater than, equal to, or less than that of satellite B, giving a brief reason for your answer.