Answer the following conceptual questions related to gravitational potential energy…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
Answer the following conceptual questions related to gravitational potential energy and the energy of orbital motion.
(i) Why is the gravitational potential energy U of a two–body system expressed with a negative sign when the separation between the bodies is finite?
(ii) A satellite of mass m is moving around a planet of mass M in a closed orbit. Using general energy considerations, state the condition on the sign of the total mechanical energy E=K+U for the orbit to remain bound.
(iii) Explain qualitatively why a satellite must be given additional kinetic energy in order to escape from its orbit around the planet.