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7.Gravitation
medium
A planet is orbiting the sun in an elliptical orbit. Let $U$ denote the potential energy and $K$ denote the kinetic energy of the planet at an arbitrary point on the orbit. Choose the correct statement.
A
$K < |U|$ always
B
$K > |U|$ always
C
$K=|U|$ always
D
$K=|U|$ for two positions of the planet in the orbit
(KVPY-2015)
Solution
(a)
For a satellite or planet, if total energy is $E$, then
kinetic energy, $K=-E$
and potential energy, $U=2 E$
where, $E$ is negative.
So, $|U| > K$.
Standard 11
Physics