A satellite is in an orbit around the earth. If its kinetic energy is doubled, then it will:

Options

A. fall on the earth
B. rotates with a great speed
C. escape out of earth's gravitational field
D. maintain its path

Answer

C

Explanation

Kinetic energy `K.E=K=(1)/(2)mv_(0)^(2)`
`thereforev_(0)=sqrt((2K)/(m))`
When kinetic energy is doubled,
`v'_(0)=sqrt((2xx2K)/(m))`
`=sqrt(2)sqrt((2K)/(m))=sqrt(2)v_(0)`
But `sqrt(2)v_(0)=v_(0)`
Hence satellite will escape out of earth's graviational field.