An artificial earth satellite is taken from a higher orbit to a lower orbit i.e. `r_(2) lt r_(1)`. In this process, the gravitational potential energy

Options

A. is increased
B. does not change
C. is decreased
D. is doubled

Answer

C

Explanation

Gravitational P.E. `=-(GMm)/(r )`
When the satellite moves to a lower orbit, there is a decrease in r. Hence the gravitational P.E. becomes more negative i.e. it decrease.
(If `U=(GMm)/(r )` , then P.E. would have increased.)