Practice question

MCQ

Question

Why does a satellite in a circular orbit have negative total energy?

Options

Choose one · Correct answer highlighted

Kinetic energy is zero Potential energy exceeds kinetic energy Correct It is moving away from Earth Gravitational force is repulsive

Explanation

The total energy E = −GMm2r is negative because the potential energy (−GMmr) is negative and twice the magnitude of the positive kinetic energy (GMm2r). This negative value indicates a bound system.

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