State the expression for the total mechanical energy of a satellite of mass moving in…

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

State the expression for the total mechanical energy

E

of a satellite of mass

m

moving in a circular orbit of radius

r

around a planet of mass

M

. (a)

E = \dfrac{GMm}{2r}

(b)

E = -\dfrac{GMm}{2r}

(c)

E = -\dfrac{GMm}{r}

(d)

E = -\dfrac{3GMm}{4r}