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JEE Mains · Physics · STD 11 - 5. work,energy,power and collision

A satellite of mass \(M\) is in a circular orbit of radius \(R\) about the centre of the earth. A meteorite of the same mass, falling towards the earth collides with the satellite completely inelastically. The speeds of the satellite and the meteorite are the same, just before the collision. The subsequent motion of the combined body will be

  1. A such that it escapes to infinity
  2. B in an elliptical orbit
  3. C in the same circular orbit of radius \(R\)
  4. D in a circular orbit of a different radius
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Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(B) in an elliptical orbit

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

\(\begin{array}{l} 2m{v_x} = mv\\ \Rightarrow \,{v_x} = \frac{v}{2}\\ \,\,\,\,\,\,{v_y} = \frac{v}{2}\\ {v_{net}} = \sqrt {{v_{{x^2}}} + {v_{{y^2}}}} = \frac{v}{{\sqrt 2 }} \end{array}\) So, path will be elliptical.
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