Physics - Gravitation Question with Solution | TestHub

For a satellite in a circular orbit, its total mechanical energy ($E_{total}$) is negative, indicating it is bound to the Earth.

The minimum energy required to project the satellite out of the Earth's gravitational field from its orbit is equal to the negative of its total mechanical energy. This is also known as the binding energy. Given that this minimum energy is $E$, we have:$$E=-E_{total}$$ Therefore, the total mechanical energy of the satellite in its orbit is$E_{total}=-E$.