A projectile is launched from the surface of earth with a velocity less than the escape velocity. Its total mechanical energy is

Options

A. positive
B. negative
C. zero
D. May be positive or negative depending upon its initial velocity

Answer

B

Explanation

If missile launched with escape velocity then it will escape from the gravitational field and at infinity its total energy becomes zero. But if the velocity of projection is less then escape velocity then sum of energies will be negative. This shows that attractive force is working on the satellite.