Question

Two satellites of earth,

S1 and S2, are moving in the same orbit. The mass of S1 is four times the mass of S2
Which of the following statements is true?
A) the time period of S1 and is four times that of S2
B) the potential energies of eartha and sattelite in the two cases are equal.
C) S1 and S2 are moving with the same speeds.
D) the kinetic energies of two satellites are equal

Answer 1

The potential energies of Earth and the satellite in the two cases are not equal.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the two satellites S1 and S2 are moving in the same orbit. The mass of S1 is four times the mass of S2. Based on this information, we can determine the following:

The time period of S1 and S2 will be the same because the time period only depends on the mass of the Earth and the radius of the orbit, not the mass of the satellite itself.

The potential energies of Earth and the satellite in the two cases will be different because potential energy depends on the mass of the satellite and its height from the Earth's surface. Since the mass of S1 is four times the mass of S2, their potential energies will not be equal.

The speeds of S1 and S2 will be the same because they are moving in the same orbit, and the speed of an object in orbit only depends on the mass of the central body and the radius of the orbit, not the mass of the satellite itself.

The kinetic energies of the two satellites will not be equal because kinetic energy depends on the mass and velocity of the satellite. Since the mass of S1 is four times the mass of S2, their kinetic energies will also be different.

So, the correct statement is: The potential energies of Earth and the satellite in the two cases are not equal.