Total mechanical energy of a satellite escaping Earth from low orbit at radius R is:
ANegative
BEqual to potential energy at infinity
CZero (at escape velocity)
DPositive
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Zero (at escape velocity)
Escape velocity is defined as the speed at which total energy (KE + PE) equals zero, the boundary between bound (negative E) and free (positive E) trajectories. So at escape conditions, total E = 0.
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