The minimum energy required to launch a satellite of mass m from the surface of the earth (mass M, radius R) into a circular orbit at an altitude of 2R from the surface of the earth is:

Question

Vishal Gupta · Accepted Answer

D. Orbit radius r = 3R. Energy in orbit = -\frac{GMm}{2r} = -\frac{GMm}{6R}; on the surface = -\frac{GMm}{R}. Minimum energy = -\frac{GMm}{6R} + \frac{GMm}{R} = \frac{5GMm}{6R}.

Gravitation

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