jakeginobi said:Homework Statement
Why does a satellite that has a 40.0kg mass in its 177km orbit has a total energy larger than its 144 km orbit?
Homework Equations
Ep = -GMm/r, Et = -GMm/2r
The Attempt at a Solution
I figured from using the Et equation, the greater the radius the bigger the value, but I don't know how to explain it in terms of potential energy and kinetic energy. Also its path is a circular orbit and there's friction involved
Total energy.PeroK said:You have a negative value for ##E_t##, which I assume is kinetic energy.
Not in the problem statement, not in the relevant equations.jakeginobi said:there's friction involved
The concept of total energy is a complex one and can be measured in different ways. Here are five frequently asked questions about what has a higher total energy:
Not necessarily. While a moving object does have kinetic energy, a stationary object can have potential energy due to its position or arrangement of particles. The total energy of an object depends on both its kinetic and potential energies.
Not always. While a larger object may have more particles and thus more potential energy, the total energy also depends on the speed and motion of those particles. A smaller object with high speed can have a higher total energy than a larger object with lower speeds.
No, it depends on the type of reaction. Exothermic reactions release energy, resulting in a decrease in total energy, while endothermic reactions absorb energy, resulting in an increase in total energy.
Yes, in certain situations. For example, a rollercoaster at the top of a hill has high potential energy but low kinetic energy, while at the bottom of the hill it has low potential energy but high kinetic energy.
Temperature is directly related to an object's kinetic energy. As temperature increases, so does the average speed of particles, resulting in a higher total energy. However, temperature does not affect potential energy, which depends on an object's position or arrangement of particles.