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JEE Main 2026 (21 Jan, Shift 1) · Satellite Energy & Weightlessness

Satellite Energy & Weightlessness question from JEE Main 2026 (21 Jan, Shift 1)

Q3JEE Main 2026 · 21 JAN · SHIFT 1Medium

Satellite Energy & Weightlessness

Initially a satellite of 100 kg is in a circular orbit of radius 1.5RE1.5R_E. This satellite can be moved to a circular orbit of radius 3RE3R_E by supplying α×106 J\alpha \times 10^{6}\text{ J} of energy. The value of α\alpha is ______. (Take Radius of Earth RE=6×106 mR_E = 6 \times 10^{6}\text{ m} and g=10 m/s2g = 10\text{ m/s}^{2})

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Answer: (b)

  1. ΔE=GMm2(11.5RE−13RE)=GMm6RE=mgRE6\Delta E = \frac{GMm}{2}\left(\frac{1}{1.5R_E} - \frac{1}{3R_E}\right) = \frac{GMm}{6R_E} = \frac{mgR_E}{6} (using GM=gRE2GM = gR_E^2).
  2. ΔE=100×10×6×1066=109\Delta E = \frac{100\times10\times6\times10^6}{6} = 10^9 J =1000×106= 1000\times10^6 J.
  3. So α=1000\alpha = 1000, option (b).
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