Paragraph for Questions 5 - 9 Consider a satellite of mass 150 kg in a low circular orbit
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
Paragraph for Questions 5 - 9
Consider a satellite of mass 150 kg in a low circular orbit. In this orbit, we cannot neglect the effect of air drag. Air opposes the motion of satellite system and it's total energy decreases. That means the total energy becomes more negative and hence the orbital radius decreases which causes the increase in KE when the satellite comes in the low enough orbit. Excessive thermal energy generation due to air friction may cause the satellite to burn up. Based on the above information, answer the following questions.
It has been mentioned in the passage that as r decreases, E decreases but K increases. The increases in K is [ E = total mechanical energy, r = orbital radius, K = kinetic energy]
(A) due to increase in gravitational PE.
(B) due to decrease in gravitational PE
(C) due to work done by air friction force
(D) both (B) and (C)