Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEM24Pha29f: JEE Main 2024 Physics - Class 11 JEEM24Pha29f Solution: Two satellite A and B go round a planet in circular orbits…

Two satellite A and B go round a planet in circular orbits having radii 4R and R respectively. If the speed of A\mathrm{A} is 3v3 v , the speed of B\mathrm{B} will be :

Multiple Choice Options

  • A 6v6 v
  • B 43v\frac{4}{3} v
  • C 3v3 v
  • D 12v12 v

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

To solve this question, we will use the fact that for an object in a circular orbit, the centripetal force required to keep the object in orbit is provided by the gravitational force between the object and the planet it is orbiting. This principle gives us the relationship between the speed of the satellite, its orbital radius, and the mass of the planet.

The formula for the gravitational force is given by:

F=GMmr2F = \frac{G M m}{r^2}

where:

  • FF is the gravitational force between the two masses,
  • GG is the gravitational constant,
  • MM is the mass of the planet,
  • mm is the mass of the satellite, and
  • rr is the distance between the center of the planet and the satellite (radius of the orbit).

The centripetal force required to keep the satellite in orbit is given by:

Fc=mv2rF_c = \frac{m v^2}{r}

where:

  • FcF_c is the centripetal force,
  • vv is the orbital speed of the satellite, and
  • rr is the radius of the orbit.

Since the gravitational force is providing the centripetal force, we can set the two forces equal to each other to find the relationship between speed and radius:

GMmr2=mv2r\frac{G M m}{r^2} = \frac{m v^2}{r}

By simplifying this, we find the equation for the orbital speed of a satellite:

v=GMrv = \sqrt{\frac{G M}{r}}

Now, we can compare the speeds of satellites AA and BB based on their radii. Satellite AA orbits at a radius of 4R4R with a speed of 3v3v , and we need to find the speed of satellite BB which orbits at a radius of RR .

Substituting the respective radii into the speed equation:

  • For satellite AA , vA=3v=GM4Rv_A = 3v = \sqrt{\frac{G M}{4R}}
  • For satellite BB , we want to find vBv_B given that its radius is RR : vB=GMRv_B = \sqrt{\frac{G M}{R}}

To find the ratio of vBv_B to 3v3v (or the speed of AA ), we can write:

vB=GMR=4GM4R=2⋅GM4Rv_B = \sqrt{\frac{G M}{R}} = \sqrt{4} \sqrt{\frac{G M}{4R}} = 2 \cdot \sqrt{\frac{G M}{4R}}

Given that GM4R\sqrt{\frac{G M}{4R}} is the speed of satellite AA divided by 3 ( 3v3v ), we find that:

vB=2⋅3v=6vv_B = 2 \cdot 3v = 6v

Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: 6v6 v .

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