Two satellites of the same mass are launched in the same orbit around the earth so as to rotate opposite to each other. If they collide inelastically and stick together as wreckage, the total energy of the system just after collision is

detailed solution

Correct option is A

Energy of each satellite in the orbit −GMm2rTotal energy of the system before collision,Ei = E1= E2 = 2E = -2 × GMm2r=−GMmrAs the satellites of equal mass are moving in the opposite directions and collide inelastically, the velocity of the wreckage just after the collision is                        mv - mv = 2mV, i.e., V = 0            The energy of the wreckage just after the collision will be totally potential and will beEf=GM(2m)r=−2GMmr