Rankers Physics

Planet and Satellite: Practice Problem & Solution

For a satellite moving in an orbit around the earth, the ratio of kinetic energy to potential energy is (2005)
$\frac{1}{2}$
$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$
$2$
$\sqrt{2}$

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Planet and Satellite. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Kinetic energy $K = \frac{GMm}{2r}$ and Potential energy $U = -\frac{GMm}{r}$. The ratio of their magnitudes is $|K|/|U| = \frac{1}{2}$.

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