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Question 30768
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Gravitation: JEE — Total Energy Conservation Orbit MCQ

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JEE — Total Energy Conservation OrbitHardQuestion 30768

Question

A satellite is in circular orbit at radius 2R. It loses energy due to air drag and spirals to orbit at R. As it spirals inward, speed:
  1. A
    Decreases
  2. B
    Increases
    Correct
  3. C
    Stays constant
  4. D
    Oscillates

Correct answer

Increases

Explanation

v = √(GM/r). As r decreases, v increases. Losing energy paradoxically increases speed — the satellite falls into a faster, lower orbit, and the loss in PE more than compensates for the gain in KE.

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