Question

When a satellite going round the earth in a circular orbit of radius $r$ and speed $v$ loses some of its energy, then $r$ and $v$ change as

• A. $r$ decreases, $v$ increases
• B. both decrease
• C. both increase
• D. $r$ increases, $v$ decreases

Answer 1

The correct option is A $r$ decreases, $v$ increases

Satellite losing its energy means, its height has dropped.
Implies, it has lost some potential energy, so the radius decreases.
And the kinetic energy increases, so the speed increases.