Physics

Problem

a. (i) Derive an expression for the binding energy of a satellite of mass

m

revolving in a circular orbit of radius

r

around a planet of mass

M

. (Binding energy is the energy required to remove the satellite to infinity.) b. (ii) Using your expression, compute the binding energy of a

1500\,\text{kg}

satellite orbiting

1000\,\text{km}

above Earth’s surface. Take

M_{\oplus}=5.97\times10^{24}\,\text{kg}

R_{\oplus}=6.37\times10^{6}\,\text{m}

and

G=6.67\times10^{-11}\,\text{N m}^2\text{kg}^{-2}