What does the negative total energy of a bound system indicate?
Negative total energy (E = KE+PE
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Physics, Thermal Properties and Gravitation.
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Why does the total energy of a satellite in an elliptical orbit remain constant?
Gravity is a conservative force, so the total mechanical energy (E = KE+PE) is conserved in an elliptical orbit, with kinetic and potential energies trading off but summing to a constant.
Ref: Halliday & Resnick, Fundamentals of Physics, 11th ed., Chapter 13: Gravitation.
A 700kg satellite orbits Earth at 10RE from the center. What is its total energy? (ME\=6×1024kg,RE\=6.4×106m,G\=6.67×10−
E = −GMEm2r. r = 10RE = 6.4×107m. E = −6.67×10−11×6×1024×7002×6.4×107. E = −2.801×10171.28×108≈−2.19×109J. As per NCERT, applying relevant law/formula with correct units and sign convention leads to -2.2 × 10⁹ J. This satisfies dimensional consistency and physical conditions given, so option B is scientifically correct.
Ref: Halliday & Resnick, Fundamentals of Physics, 11th ed., Chapter 13: Gravitation.
A 1000kg satellite orbits Earth at 16RE from the center. What is its total energy? (ME\=6×1024kg,RE\=6.4×106m,G\=6.67×10
E = −GMEm2r. r = 16RE = 1.024×108m. E = −6.67×10−11×6×1024×10002×1.024×108. E = −4.002×10172.048×108≈−1.95×109J. As per NCERT, applying relevant law/formula with correct units and sign convention leads to -1.9 × 10⁹ J. This satisfies dimensional consistency and physical conditions given, so option A is scientifically correct.
Ref: Halliday & Resnick, Fundamentals of Physics, 11th ed., Chapter 13: Gravitation.