Question

In order to place a satellite into orbit, it requires enough fuel to supply the necessary mechanical energy. Into what types of mechanical energy does the fuel get transformed?

Answer 1

When a satellite is revolving into the orbit around a planet then we can say

net centripetal force on the satellite is due to gravitational attraction force of the planet, so we will have

`F_g = F_c`

`(GM_pM_s)/(r^2) = (M_s v^2)/(r)`

now we can say that kinetic energy of satellite is given as

`KE = (1)/(2)M_s v^2`

`KE = (GM_sM_p)/(2r)`

also we know that since satellite is in gravitational field of the planet so here it must have some gravitational potential energy in it

so we will have

`U = -(GM_sM_p)/(r)`

so we can say that energy from the fuel is converted into kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy of the satellite