Two satellites A and B move around Earth in the same circular orbit. The mass of A is twice the mass of B. Which quantity is the same for both satellites?
Options

Question

Two satellites A and B move around Earth in the same circular orbit. The mass of A is twice the mass of B. Which quantity is the same for both satellites?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For a circular orbit of radius R, v = √(GM/R) The orbital speed is independent of the satellite mass. However, K = GMm/(2R), U = -GMm/R, E = -GMm/(2R) all depend on satellite mass m. Therefore only speed is the same. Hence option D follows.