Consider a satellite (whose mass is $m$ ) orbiting the earth (whose mass is $M$ ). If we use the formula $V_{g}=-$ $G M m / r$ for the gravitational potential energy in this situation, the earth/satellite system's total energy $E$ turns out to be negative. With respect to the total energy of what situation is $E$ negative?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The total energy $E$ being negative indicates that the system (earth and satellite) is bound, meaning it requires energy to separate the two bodies to infinity. Thus, $E$ is negative with respect to the satellite being at rest at infinity, where the gravitational potential energy would be zero.

Consider a Satellite (Whose Mass Is mmm ) Orbiting the Earth (Whose Mass Is

Consider a Satellite (Whose Mass Is $m$ ) Orbiting the Earth (Whose Mass Is