An unmanned spacecraft of negligible mass relative to its planet is in a circular…

PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics C: Mechanics · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics

Problem

An unmanned spacecraft of negligible mass relative to its planet is in a circular orbit of radius

r

. It is slowly raised to a new circular orbit of radius

2r

. Ignoring any losses, what minimum amount of work per kilogram of spacecraft mass must be done to accomplish this change? (a)

\displaystyle \frac{3\mu}{4r}

(b)

\displaystyle \frac{\mu}{4r}

(c)

\displaystyle \frac{\mu}{2r}

(d)

\displaystyle \frac{\mu}{8r}