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(Question B4, continued)

Part 2

(a)

Motion of a satellite

Define gravitational potential.

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(b) A satellite of mass m is in a circular orbit around the Earth at height R from the
Earths surface. The mass of the Earth may be considered to be a point mass concentrated
at the Earths centre. The Earth has mass M and radius R.

(i)

orbit
satellite mass m

Earth mass M

Deduce that the kinetic energy EK of the satellite when in orbit of height R is
EK =

GMm
.
4R

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(Question B4, Part 2 continued)

(ii) The kinetic energy of the satellite in this orbit is 1.51010J.

total energy of the satellite.

Calculate the

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(iii) Explain how your answer to (b)(ii) indicates that the satellite will not escape the
Earths gravitational field and state the minimum amount of energy that must be
provided to this satellite so that it does escape.

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M07/4/PHYSI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/XX/M+

Part 2 Motion of a satellite

(a)

(b)

the work done per unit mass;

in bringing a small/point mass from infinity to a point (in the gravitational field);
Ratio idea essential for first mark.
(i)

(ii)

GMm
equating gravitational force to centripetal
r2
GM
to get the speed v 2
;
r
GMm 1 GMm GMm
and hence EK 12
;
2
r
2R
4R

GMm
r
GMm GMm
4R
2R

potential energy in orbit is EP

total energy is then E

[2]

mv 2
;
r

[3]

GMm
;
2R
GMm
;
4R

1.5 1010 J ;
i.e. E
Award [1 max] for bare answer without explanation.

(iii) at infinity the potential energy is zero and hence if satellite gets there its total
energy will be E 0 ;
but the satellite has negative energy and hence it cannot escape to infinity/the
satellite is bound to the Earth forever;
the minimum energy that must be supplied the value must agree with the
is E 1.5 1010 J ; (or ECF from (b) (ii))
candidates answer to (b) (ii).

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