Two satellites of earth, S_1 and S_2 are moving in the same orbit. The mass of S_1 is four times the mass of S_2. Which one of the following statements is true?

NEET 2007 Physics question

Two satellites of earth, and are moving in the same orbit. The mass of is four times the mass of . Which one of the following statements is true?

(1)The kinetic energies of the two satellites are equal.
(2)The time period of is four times that of .
(3)The potential energies of earth and satellite in the two cases are equal.
(4) and are moving with the same speed.Correct

Answer: (4)

Solution

For a satellite in a circular orbit of radius , gravity provides the centripetal force: , so , independent of the satellite's mass. Both satellites are in the same orbit, so they have the same

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Question ID VK-089897