Question

A satellite at a particular point along an elliptical orbit has a gravitational potential energy of 4700 MJ with respect to Earth's surface and a kinetic energy of 4800 MJ . Later in its orbit the satellite's potential energy is 6000 MJ .
Use conservation of energy to find its kinetic energy at that point.

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Answer 1

during satellite motion we know that total energy is always conserved

so here we will have

$KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f$

here we know that

$KE_i = 4800 MJ$

$PE_i = 4700 MJ$

now at other position

$PE_f = 6000 MJ$

now from above equation we have

$4800 +4700 = 6000 + KE$

now we have

$9500 = 6000 + KE$

$KE = 9500 - 6000 = 3500 MJ$

so its kinetic energy will be 3500 MJ