If a satellite is moving in a circular orbit, what type of energy does it possess?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
If a satellite is moving in a circular orbit, what type of energy does it possess?
Only kinetic energy
Only potential energy
Both kinetic and potential energy
Neither kinetic nor potential energy
A satellite in a circular orbit possesses both kinetic energy due to its motion and potential energy due to its position in the gravitational field.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: If a satellite is moving in a circular orbit, what type of energy does it possess?
Solution: A satellite in a circular orbit possesses both kinetic energy due to its motion and potential energy due to its position in the gravitational field.
Steps: 4
Step 1: Understand that a satellite is an object that orbits around a planet or another celestial body.
Step 2: Recognize that when the satellite is moving, it has energy because of its motion. This is called kinetic energy.
Step 3: Know that the satellite is also affected by the gravity of the planet it is orbiting. This means it has energy based on its position in the gravitational field, called potential energy.
Step 4: Conclude that a satellite in a circular orbit has both kinetic energy (from moving) and potential energy (from being in a gravitational field).
