Does satellite have potential energy?

Answer 1

ya, gravitational potential energy

Answer 2

A satellite of mass m in orbit around the Earth (mass Me) has gravitational potential energy

U = - G(Me)(m)/(distance from center of Earth)

under the convention that U = 0 at infinite distance.

That means that if the satellite were dropped from infinity to the surface of the Earth, its change in potential energy would be:
U(radius) - U(infinity) = - G(Me)m/(radius), so the kinetic energy upon reaching the surface is

kinetic energy = + G(Me)m/(radius)

Sometimes, people want to measure the potential energy under the convention that U(radius) = 0. In that case, you would find:
U' (r) = U(r) - U(radius)
= -G(Me)m/r) - G(Me)m/(radius)
= G(Me)m [1/radius - 1/r]

If r is just a short height h above the ground, then
r = radius + h
and so [1/radius - 1/r] = [1/radius - 1/(radius + h)]
= [(radius + h) - radius]/[(radius)(radius + h)]
= h/[radius(radius + h)
= h/(radius)^2 approximately

The you find that the expression for potential energy is:
U'(r + h) = (G(Me)m)(h)/(radius^2)
= (G(Me)m/radius^2) * h
= mg * h

So when h is small relative to the radius of the Earth, you can use this approach also: It's easier to calculate with.

Answer 3

Yes and kinetic energy too. In a stable orbit, the centripetal and centrifugal forces are balanced. When the satellite loses its kinetic energy (is slowed down by some means), it starts falling due to the gravitational pull of the earth. That shows it has the potential energy.

Answer 4

Yes, it has potential as well as kinetic energy. Potential is given by
mgh
where m = mass
g = gravity (at that altitude)
h = height (counted from the center of earth)

The Kinetic energy is given by 1/2 m * v ^ 2

Where m = mass
v = Velocity (linear or tangential)

No wonder we need so much energy to put it up there.

Answer 5

nicely i dont wanna clarify as i ent dne ne physics 4 a three hundred and sixty 5 days n i wldnt wanna gve u the incorrect information yet iv dne those n all u gta do is hit upon the formula given (rearange) the gravitational capacity capability formula

Answer 6

Of course it does. It's given (in Joules) by mgh where m is the mass (in kg), h is the height (in meters), and g = 9.81 m/s² (acceleration of Earths gravity)

Doug

Answer 7

Yes, it does.