Gujarati
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

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