A satellite moves in a circular orbit of radius around a planet of mass

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

Problem

A satellite moves in a circular orbit of radius

4.0\times10^{7}\,\text{m}

around a planet of mass

4.0\times10^{24}\,\text{kg}

. What is the satellite’s total mechanical energy per unit mass? (a)

+3.3\times10^{6}\,\text{J\,kg}^{-1}

(b)

-3.3\times10^{6}\,\text{J\,kg}^{-1}

(c)

-6.7\times10^{6}\,\text{J\,kg}^{-1}

(d)

+6.7\times10^{6}\,\text{J\,kg}^{-1}