The force of gravity does work on a satellite when it is in

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To evaluate the question, recall how gravity interacts with a satellite along different orbital shapes.
Option 1: circular orbit. In a circular orbit the satellite moves perpendicular to the radius, so the gravitational force (which points toward the center) is perpendicular to the instantaneous displacement. Since work is force dotted with displacement, the work done by gravity over any small segment is zero, and over a full orbit the net work is zero as well. So gravity does no net work in a circular orbit.
Option 2: elliptical orbit. In an elliptical orbit the distance to the central body changes, and the satellite’s speed varies as it moves closer to or farther from the focus. Here gravity has a component along the direction of motion at various points, so F · dr is not always zero. When the satellite moves inward gravity speeds it up (positive work), and when it climbs outward gravity slows it down (negative work). Over portions of the orbit, gravity does net work, and overall the orbit involves energy exchange via gravity.
Option 3: both of these. Since we just established that gravity does not do work in a circular orbit but does in an elliptical orbit, this option is incorrect.
Option 4: neither of these. This would be true only if gravity did zero work in elliptical and zero work in circular, which is not the case. Hence this option is incorrect.
In summary, gravity does work on a satellite in an elliptical orbit due to changing radius and varying speed, whereas in a circular orbit the gravitational force is always perpendicular to the motion, yielding zero work.

Win25_PHYS010_10428 Quiz 3 (Ch5-6)

The force of gravity does work on a satellite when it is in

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