N$12$T$\mathrm{.}1$: According to the text, an orbiting object having energy follows an elliptical orbit. When we specify the numerical value for an object's energy, we are implicitly comparing it to the energy the object has in some reference situation. So$,$ when we say in this case, we are comparing the energy of the orbiting object to the energy of an object of the same mass that is

N$12$T$\mathrm{.}1$: According to the text, an orbiting object having energy follows an elliptical orbit. When we specify the numerical value for an object's energy, we are implicitly comparing it to the energy the object has in some reference situation. So$,$ when we say in this case, we are comparing the energy of the orbiting object to the energy of an object of the same mass that is

at rest at the primary's center.

at rest on the primary's surface.

in a circular orbit just above the primary's surface.

at rest at r $=$ infinity.

Some other situation