Consider a Satellite (Whose Mass Is $m$ ) Orbiting the Earth (Whose Mass Is

Multiple Choice

Consider a satellite (whose mass is $m$ ) orbiting the earth (whose mass is $M$ ) . If we use the formula $V_{g}=-$ $G M m / r$ for the gravitational potential energy in this situation, the earth/satellite system's total energy $E$ turns out to be negative. With respect to the total energy of what situation is $E$ negative?

A) The satellite at rest at the earth's surface
B) The satellite at rest at the earth's center
C) The satellite orbiting just above the earth's surface
D) The satellite at rest at infinity
E) Some other situation (specify)