Rotating Systems: Energy & Momentum
A small satellite orbits a much larger planet. Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the motion of the planet?
The planet remains essentially stationary.
The planet orbits the satellite.
The planet and satellite orbit a common center of mass with equal speeds.
The planet's motion is unpredictable.
Which of the following quantities are conserved for a satellite in a circular orbit around a planet?
Only total mechanical energy.
Only angular momentum.
Both total mechanical energy and angular momentum.
Neither total mechanical energy nor angular momentum.
What is the value of gravitational potential energy between two objects when they are an infinite distance apart?
Negative infinity
Positive infinity
Zero
It depends on the masses of the objects.
A satellite with mass orbits a planet with mass at a distance of . What is the gravitational potential energy of the satellite-planet system? (Assume )
A satellite moves from a distance to a distance away from a planet, where . What is the change in gravitational potential energy of the satellite?
A satellite is in an elliptical orbit around Earth. At which point in its orbit is the satellite's kinetic energy the greatest?
At the point farthest from Earth
At the point closest to Earth
At a point where the potential energy is zero
At any point, the kinetic energy is constant
In an elliptical orbit, how do the kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE) change as a satellite moves from the apoapsis to the periapsis?
KE increases, PE increases
KE increases, PE decreases
KE decreases, PE increases
KE decreases, PE decreases

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A satellite in an elliptical orbit has a perihelion distance of and an aphelion distance of . What is the ratio of its speed at perihelion () to its speed at aphelion ()?
A satellite of mass is orbiting a planet of mass at a distance . If the mass of the satellite is doubled, what happens to the escape velocity?
It doubles
It halves
It remains the same
It quadruples
What is the escape velocity from the surface of a planet with mass and radius ? (Assume )