Motion of Orbiting Satellites AP Physics C Mechanics MCQ – Exam Style Questions etc.
Motion of Orbiting Satellites AP Physics C Mechanics MCQ
Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
Weightage : 10-15%
Question
A comet moves in an elliptical orbit around the Sun. Which of the following is at a maximum when the comet is at its farthest distance from the Sun?
(A) Kinetic energy of the comet
(B) Speed of the comet
(C) Acceleration of the comet
(D) Gravitational potential energy of the Sun- comet system
(E) Total energy of the Sun-comet system
Answer/Explanation
Ans:D
Questions (a)-(c)
Identical satellites X and Y of mass m are in circular orbits around a planet of mass M. The radius of the planet is R. Satellite X has an orbital radius of 3R, and satellite Y has an orbital radius of 4R. The kinetic energy of satellite X is\( K_X\) .
In terms of \(K_X\) , the gravitational potential energy of the planet-satellite X system is
(A) \(−2K_X\)
(B) \(−K_X\)
(C) \(− K_X /2\)
(D) \(K_X /2\)
(E) \(2K_X\)
Answer/Explanation
Ans:A
Question(b)
The kinetic energy of satellite X is\( K_X\) . The kinetic energy of satellite Y is \(K_Y \). The ratio \(K _X /K_ Y\) is
(A) 1 /4
(B) 3 /4
(C) 1 /1
(D) 4/ 3
(E) 4 /1
Answer/Explanation
Ans:D
Question(c)
Satellite X is moved to the same orbit as satellite Y by a force doing work on the satellite. In terms of\( K_X\) , the work done on satellite X by the force is
(A) \(−K_X/ 2\)
(B) \(−K_X/ 4\)
(C) 0
(D) \(+K_X/ 4\)
(E) \(+K_X/ 2\)
Answer/Explanation
Ans:D