Question

If a satellite is moved from one stable circular orbit to a farther stable circular orbit, then the following quantity increases

• A. Gravitational force
• B. Gravitational Potential Energy
• C. linear orbital speed
• D. Centripetal acceleration

Answer 1

The correct option is B Gravitational Potential Energy

Gravitational PE of the satellite about the planet is: $U=-\frac{G{M}_p{m}_s}{r}$ here the subscripts p and s refer to the planet and satellite respectively.
As the satellite moves to an orbit of greater radius, PE becomes less negative, hence it increases.
Gravitational force is $\propto \frac{1}{r^2}$, hence it decreases when r increases.
Centripetal acceleration is due to gravitational force, hence it also decreases.
Angular momentum: $L=mvr$ is conserved. where v is the linear speed.
As $r$ increases, $v$ decreases.