(a) What is meant by the statement that the total mechanical energy of a satellite in…
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
(a) What is meant by the statement that the total mechanical energy of a satellite in a stable circular orbit around Earth is negative?
(b) Qualitatively explain why a satellite moving from a lower circular orbit to a higher circular orbit must be supplied with positive external work even though its numerical mechanical energy becomes less negative.
(c) If the mechanical energy of the satellite changes from E1 to E2 during such an upward shift, state the relation between the external work W done on the satellite and the energies E1,E2. Justify your answer.