Two satellites A and B move round the earth in the same orbit. The mass of A is twice the mass of B. The quantity which

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Two satellites A and B move round the earth in the same orbit. The mass of A is twice the mass of B. The quantity which is same for the two satellites will be:

Accepted Answer

Given: Two satellites A and B are moving in the same circular orbit around the earth. Mass of A is twice the mass of B.

Find: The quantity that remains the same for both satellites.

For a satellite in a circular orbit, the orbital speed is

v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}}

where $G$ is the gravitational constant, $M$ is the mass of the earth, and $R$ is the orbital radius.

Since both satellites are in the same orbit, the value of $R$ is the same for both. Also, $G$ and $M$ are the same. Therefore, their orbital speed is the same.

The kinetic energy, potential energy, and total energy depend on the mass of the satellite, so they are not the same for the two satellites.

Therefore, the correct option is D.

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