Answer: Negative (decreases).
- A Positive (increases)
- B Negative (decreases)
- C Zero
- D Depends on mass
Correct answer: B. Negative (decreases)
Explanation: KE = GMm/(2r). As r increases, KE decreases. Energy must be added to raise orbit but KE actually decreases.
g is maximum at Earth's surface; going up, it falls off as 1/r² (inverse-square); going down, it falls off linearly with depth (since only the mass enclosed within radius r contributes), reaching zero at the centre.
Concept context
Universal gravitation, orbital mechanics, gravitational potential, and escape velocity.