Given below are two statements: Statement I: If E is the total energy of a satellite moving around the Earth, then its potential energy is E/2. Statement II: The kinetic energy of a satellite revolving in an orbit is equal to half the magnitude of total energy E. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Options

Question

Given below are two statements: Statement I: If E is the total energy of a satellite moving around the Earth, then its potential energy is E/2. Statement II: The kinetic energy of a satellite revolving in an orbit is equal to half the magnitude of total energy E. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For a satellite in a circular orbit: Total energy: E = −GMm/(2r) Potential energy: U = −GMm/r = 2E Kinetic energy: K = GMm/(2r) = −E = |E| Therefore: Statement I, which gives potential energy as E/2, is incorrect. Statement II, which says kinetic energy is half the magnitude of total energy, is also incorrect because K = |E|, not |E|/2. Hence both statements are incorrect. Option A follows.