Question

In the given figure what kind of motion is represented by the situation with K + U = A? B? C?Think about the range of rin each situation, For example, Crepresents a circular orbit (constant r).

Short answer

The potential energy is maximum and the kinetic energy is zero at A.

The kinetic energy is almost smaller than the potential energy at B.

The kinetic energy is half the potential energy at C.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Kinetic energy(K)

The kinetic energy is the energy of an object or a system’s particles in motion. But it is affected by the environment outside of the object or system, such as air or height.

Determine range of r in each situation

At point C, if we consider the distance at C is half of r, therefore, the kinetic energy is half of the potential energy.

At point A, the potential energy reaches the maximum value where r is the maximum distance between the planet and star and as the potential energy is the maximum value, hence, the kinetic energy is almost zero and the planet begins to approach the star again at the closest point.

At point B, the system has both energies, kinetic energy and potential energy but the kinetic energy is almost smaller than the potential energy where K + U < 0.

Therefore, the kinetic energy is half the potential energy at C, the potential energy is maximum and the kinetic energy is zero at A, The kinetic energy is almost smaller than the potential energy at B.