JEE Main2018PhysicsGravitationActual
A body of mass m is moving in a circular orbit of radius R about a planet of mass M . At some instant, it splits into two equal masses. The first mass moves in a circular orbit of radius R 2 . And the other mass, in a circular orbit of radius 3 R 2 . The difference between the final and the initial total energies is
Options
- A+ G m 6 R
- B- G m 2 R
- C- G m 6 R
- DG m 2 R
Correct answer
C. - G m 6 R
Step-by-step solution
E i = - G M m 2 R , E f = - G M m / 2 2 R 2 - G M m / 2 2 3 R 2 = - G M m 2 R - G M m 6 R = - 4 G M m 6 R = - 2G M m 3 R E f - E i =   G M m 2 R - 2 3 + 1 2 =   - G M m 6 R .