Question

When energy of a satellite-planet system is positive then satellite will

• A. Move around planet in circular orbit
• B. Move around planet in elliptical orbit
• C. Escape out with minimum speed
• D. Escape out with speed greater than escape velocity

Answer 1

The correct option is D Escape out with speed greater than escape velocity

When a satellite moves in a circular orbit around a planet, then the total energy of the system remains negative. when the energy of system become zero, velocity of satellite attain the escape velocity. Finally when the energy of a satellite-planet system is positive, the satellite escapes away from the gravitational field of the planet with speed greater than the escape speed.

$\begin{array}{c}\text{Why this question: To make students}\\ \text{understand the concept of a bound system}\\ \text{and its relationship with total energy.}\end{array}$