Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 7 - Think and Explain - Page 129-130: 71

Answer

If the satellite is moving in a circular orbit, no work is done on the satellite (because the net force on it is perpendicular to its motion). The work-energy theorem confirms that no change in the satellite's energy occurs. The orbit is circular so the PE doesn't change, so the KE is also constant, i.e., it moves at constant speed.
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