BITSAT2020PhysicsGravitationActual
The potential energy of a satellite of mass m and revolving at a height R _ e above the surface of earth where R _ e = radius of earth, is
Options
- A- m g R _ e
- B- mg R _ e 2
- C- mg R _ e 3
- D- mg R _ e 4
Correct answer
B. - mg R _ e 2
Step-by-step solution
At a height h above the surface of earth the gravitational potential energy of the particle of mass m is U _ h =- GM _ e m R _ e + h Where M_ e & R_ e are the mass & radius of earth respectively. In this question, since h = R _ e So U_ h-R_ e =- G M_ e m 2 R_ e = -m g R_ e 2