Two satellites, A and B, both of mass m = 126 kg, move in the same circular orbit of radius r = 7.50 106 m around Earth but in opposite senses of rotation and therefore on a collision course.

See picture- http://www.webassign.net/hrw/13-49.gif

a) What is the total mechanical energy EA + EB of the two satellites + Earth system before the collision?

b) If the collision is completely inelastic so that the wreckage remains as one piece of tangled material (mass = 2m), what is the total mechanical energy immediately after the collision?

Question

Two satellites, A and B, both of mass m = 126 kg, move in the same circular orbit of radius r = 7.50  106 m around Earth but in opposite senses of rotation and therefore on a collision course.

See picture- http://www.webassign.net/hrw/13-49.gif

a) What is the total mechanical energy EA + EB of the two satellites + Earth system before the collision?

b) If the collision is completely inelastic so that the wreckage remains as one piece of tangled material (mass = 2m), what is the total mechanical energy immediately after the collision?