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atavistic
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Homework Statement
A satellite of mass m, initially at rest on the earth, is launched into a circular orbit at a height equal to radius of the earth. What is the the minimum energy required for this purpose?
Homework Equations
GMm/r^2 = mv^2/r
PE at surface = -GMm/R
PE at orbit = -GMm/r
where r = 2R
The Attempt at a Solution
I am not getting the logic, and I think my problem is more so related to circular motion, I mean if we launch a satellite ,then it will go up and if viewed from outside Earth , follow an elliptical trajectory , then how does it get into a circular orbit?How does a force which is actually pulling it downward suddenly provide centripetal acceleration for rotational motion? How is the initial and final energy related. I did most of the problem but this has left me perplexed made me revisit circular motion but I didnt get the solution to my answer anywhere.