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Module 5: Advanced Mechanics

Quick questions on Conservation of energy in orbital motion explained: HSC Physics Module 5

7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is kinetic energy in a circular orbit?
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For a satellite of mass mm in a circular orbit at radius rr around a central body of mass MM, gravity provides the centripetal force:
What are energy changes between orbits?
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Moving from a circular orbit at r1r_1 to one at r2r_2 requires a change in total energy:
What are non-circular orbits?
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For an elliptical orbit with semi-major axis aa:
What is escape condition?
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If E≥0E \geq 0, the satellite is unbound and will escape to infinity. The boundary E=0E = 0 corresponds to escape velocity:
What is q1?
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Write down expressions for the kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy and total mechanical energy of a satellite in a circular orbit of radius rr. State the relationship between KK and UU. [3 marks]
What is q2?
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A 200 kg200 \text{ kg} satellite at r=8.0×106 mr = 8.0 \times 10^6 \text{ m} is boosted to r=1.0×107 mr = 1.0 \times 10^7 \text{ m}. Calculate the change in total mechanical energy. [3 marks]
What is q3?
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A satellite in elliptical orbit has perigee rp=7000 kmr_p = 7000 \text{ km} and apogee ra=12000 kmr_a = 12000 \text{ km}. (a) Find the semi-major axis. (b) Use conservation of energy to compare KE at perigee vs apogee.

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