Two Earth satellites, A and B, each of mass m, are to be launched into circular orbits about Earth's center. Satellite A is to orbit at an altitude of 6370 km. Satellite B is to orbit at an altitude of 19 110 km. The radius of Earth RE is 6370 km. (a) What is the ratio of the potential energy of satellite B to that of satellite A, in orbit? (b) What is the ratio of the kinetic energy of satellite B to that of satellite A, in orbit? (c) Which satellite has the greater total energy if each has a mass of 14.6 kg? (d) By how much?

Orbital radius of satellite A, Ra = 6370 + 6370 = 12740 km

Orbital radius of satellite B, Rb = 6370 + 19110 = 25480 km

Orbital potential energy of a satellite = - GMm / r where G is gravitational constant, M is mass of the earth and m is mass of the satellite

Orbital potential energy of a satellite A = - GMm / Ra

Orbital potential energy of a satellite B = - GMm / Rb

PE of satellite B / PE of satellite A

= Ra / Rb

= 12740 / 25480

= 1 / 2

b) Kinetic energy of a satellite is half the potential energy with positive value, so ratio of their kinetic energy will also be same

KE of satellite B / KE of satellite A

= 1 / 2

c) Total energy will be as follows

Total energy = - PE + KE

- P E + PE/2

= - PE / 2

Total energy of satellite B / Total energy of A

= 1 / 2

Satellite B will have greater total energy because its negative value is less.