A satellite orbits Earth in a circular path above Earth’s surface

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

Problem

1.0\times10^{3}\,\text{kg}

satellite orbits Earth in a circular path

3.0\,\text{km}

above Earth’s surface. Given

R_E = 6.4\times10^{6}\,\text{m}

M_E = 6.0\times10^{24}\,\text{kg}

, and

G = 6.67\times10^{-11}\,\text{N}\,\text{m}^2\,\text{kg}^{-2}

, determine the satellite’s kinetic energy. (a)

4.3 \times 10^{10}\,\text{J}

(b)

3.1 \times 10^{10}\,\text{J}

(c)

2.1 \times 10^{10}\,\text{J}

(d)

1.5 \times 10^{10}\,\text{J}