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AP Physics 1
6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites
3.4 Conservation of Energy
Multi-Unit
IntermediateMCQGraphicalConceptual21.4k
A satellite of mass \(m\) is in a stable circular orbit of radius \(r\) around a planet of mass \(M\), where the gravitational potential energy of the satellite-planet system is defined to be zero as \(r \to \infty\). The satellite can be placed in different stable circular orbits with different orbital radii. Which of the following correctly describes the qualitative graphs of kinetic energy \(K\), gravitational potential energy \(U\), and total mechanical energy \(E\) of the system plotted as functions of orbital radius \(r\)?

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