Energy Associated with Satellite

K.E. = \[\frac {GMm}{2r}\]

P.E. = -\[\frac {GMm}{r}\]

T.E. = −\[\frac {GMm}{2r}\]

B.E. = −T.E. = \[\frac {GMm}{2r}\]

• K.E. and B.E. both decrease as orbital radius r increases; P.E. and T.E. both increase (become less negative) as r increases.
• For a stationary object, K.E. = 0, so T.E. equals P.E. and B.E. = −T.E.
• For a revolving satellite, K.E. is always half the magnitude of P.E., and B.E. is always equal to −T.E.
• As orbital radius increases, the satellite has less kinetic energy but is harder to pull back (B.E. decreases), meaning it is less bound to Earth.