If a satellite is moved from one stable circular orbit to a farther stable circular orbit, then the following quantity increases

Options

A. Linear orbital speed
B. Gravitational force
C. Centripetal accelerations
D. Gravitational P.E.

Answer

D

Explanation

Orbital speed `v_(c )=sqrt((GM)/(r ))`,
Gravitational force `prop (1)/(r^(2))`, c.p. acceleration `=(v^(2))/(r )`
All the three decrease as the orbital radius is increased. But the gravitational P.E. `= -(GMm)/(r )`.
It is given that `r_(2)gt r_(1)`. Hence the P.E. will increase, because of the -ve sign.