What is the force acting on a satellite in space?
There is no component of force acting along the direction of motion of the satellite. The net force acting on the satellite is zero. The gravitational force acting on the satellite is balanced by the centrifugal force acting on the satellite. There is a force acting opposite to the direction of the motion of the satellite.
How are a satellite's velocity and orbital radius independent of each other?
A satellite's velocity and orbital radius are independent of each other. A satellite's motion is independent of its mass. The launch speed of a satellite determines the shape of its orbit around Earth. A satellite's motion is independent of its mass. Would it require less speed to launch a satellite a) toward the east or b) toward the west?
Why do satellites orbit at a lower orbit speed?
In order to orbit, a satellite must reach an orbital speed relative to the center of the earth. Since the satellite is already moving eastward when launched (due to the rotation speed at the surface of the earth) it requires less additional speed (therefore less energy) to launch it east to get to final orbital speed
What determines the shape of a satellite's orbit around Earth?
The launch speed of a satellite determines the shape of its orbit around Earth. A geosynchronous satellite has a period of approximately 28 days. A satellite's velocity and orbital radius are independent of each other. A satellite's motion is independent of its mass.
Why does the speed of a satellite in circular orbit not change?
Its speed does not change, but its velocity (speed and direction) does. Acceleration (as in F=ma ) implies a change of velocity but not necessarily of speed. A circular orbit is the orbit which is exactly balanced so that the speed never changes.
What keeps a satellite moving in a circular orbit?
Gravity provides the inward pull that keeps the satellite in orbit. Assuming a circular orbit, the gravitational force must equal the centripetal force.
Why a satellite is in constant acceleration?
This acceleration is a result of earth's gravitational force on the satellite. The acceleration is also known as centripetal acceleration. It is also useful to know that the force of gravity provides the necessary centripetal force for a stable orbit.
Why do satellites stay in orbit centripetal force?
Right Lines: The satellite is taken up to its orbital height on a carrier rocket and directed out along its orbit, at a specific speed, with a rocket thrust. This speed is such that the gravitational force, at that height above the Earth, provides the centripetal force needed to keep the satellite in its orbital path.
How does gravity make satellites revolve at a constant speed?
In the absence of any forces whatsoever, an object in motion (such as a satellite) would continue in motion with the same speed and in the same direction. This is the law of inertia. The force of gravity acts upon a high speed satellite to deviate its trajectory from a straight-line inertial path.
How can a satellite accelerate without changing speed?
An object can accelerate without actually increasing in speed - it may just be changing direction. For example, a satellite in orbit around the earth is always changing direction as it moves in orbit, but it stays at the same speed. We say that it is constantly accelerating because its velocity is changing.
Is satellite is moving with a constant speed?
A satellite is moving with a constant speed v in circular orbit around the earth. An object of mass m is ejected from the satellite such that it just escapes from the gravitational pull of the earth. At the time of ejection, the kinetic energy of the object is. Was this answer helpful?
Do satellites move with constant velocity?
Satellite is moving with uniform speed but its direction of motion is changing at each point. Hence, velocity changes. If the velocity is changing then it means the motion is accelerated.
What keeps the object in a circular orbit?
Circular motion requires a net inward or "centripetal" force. Without a net centripetal force, an object cannot travel in circular motion. In fact, if the forces are balanced, then an object in motion continues in motion in a straight line at constant speed.
What keeps things moving in a circular motion?
While an object moves due to velocity, or its speed in a certain direction, centripetal force is the force that keeps the object moving in a circular path. It does this by pulling an object toward the center of a circle.
Do satellites move in circular orbit?
The motion of an orbiting satellite can be described by the same motion characteristics as any object in circular motion.
What keeps an object moving around an orbit?
Objects orbit each other because of gravity. Gravity is the force that exists between any two objects with mass. Every object, from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest star, has mass. The more massive the object, the larger its gravitational pull.
How does a satellite move in orbit?
A satellite in orbit of another object, each second falls a distance, let’s call it X, and in that same second since it is moving tangentially to the object, it moves that same X distance from the object, keeping the distance from the object the same, as it continues to move around the object in its orbit.
Why are orbits not circular?
But they aren’t even that because the Earth isn’t smooth so its gravitational field is uneven.
How do satellites travel?
Artificial satellites for the most part travel in almost circular orbits at almost constant speed. They do this because we put them into such an orbit when we launch them. Things in orbit around the Earth (or any other body) are constantly falling toward that body. But we give them exactly enough “sideways” velocity that the pull of gravity bends their path into a circle. (In most cases, actually a slightly stretched-out circular path called an ellipse). For low-earth orbits a few hundred miles high, the necessary “sideways” veloc
How does an artificial satellite go around the Earth?
An artificial satellite goes around the earth in a perfectly circular orbit with a constant speed. Is the motion accelerated? What are the reasons to support your answer?
How does a satellite keep going?
(There’s always some drag, but once you get about 200 km—about 125 miles—above the Earth, the drag is greatly diminished.) So how does it keep going? The first principle is Newton’s first law: An object in motion continues in that motion unless acted upon by a force. Now, if a satellite were just hovering 200 km above the ground, it would sink to the ground under the force of gravity and either vaporize in the atmosphere or strike the ground with a good amount of speed, depending on its size.
What happens if an object falls too far?
In either condition, if the object falls to far, it will eventually hit the object it is orbiting , or if its speed exceeds the escape velocity, it will eventually leave the gravitational pull of the larger object.
What happens when an object moves too slowly to cancel out the pull of gravity?
If an object moves too slowly to cancel out the pull of gravity, it will loss height, and as it falls speed builds up , this will continue until the velocity equals the gravitational pull.
How long does it take for a satellite to orbit the Earth?
The launch speed of a satellite determines the shape of its orbit around Earth. A geosynchronous satellite has a period of approximately 28 days. A satellite's velocity and orbital radius are independent of each other. A satellite's motion is independent of its mass.
When is the Earth's orbital speed greater?
Earth's orbital speed is less when it is closer to the Sun than when it is farther from the Sun. Earth's orbital speed is greater when it is closer to the Sun than when it is farther from the Sun. Earth's orbital speed is greater when it is closer to the Sun than when it is farther from the Sun. A planet is discovered orbiting around a star in ...
What direction do velocity and acceleration vectors point?
The velocity and acceleration vectors point in opposite directions. The velocity and acceleration vectors point in the same direction. The velocity vector points in a direction tangent to the circular path. The acceleration is zero. The velocity and acceleration vectors are perpendicular.
What is the shape of the planets around the Sun?
The path of the planets around the Sun is circular in shape.
Why is net force zero?
The net force points in the direction opposite to the motion of the object. The net force is zero because the object is moving with a constant speed. The net force is directed toward the center of the circular path. You throw a ball. Air resistance on the ball is negligible.
How many times will the Earth's orbital period be?
The planet's orbital period will be twice Earth's orbital period. The planet's orbital period will be four times Earth's orbital period. The planet's orbital period will be equal to Earth's orbital period. The planet's orbital period will be one-fourth Earth's orbital period.
Is there a component of force acting along the direction of motion of the satellite?
There is no component of force acting along the direction of motion of the satellite.
