Physics Practice Questions - chapter 10

Nothing; they're falling continuously all around the Earth

23) What prevents satellites such as a space shuttle from falling? A) gravity B) the absence of air drag C) Nothing; they're falling continuously all around the Earth.

longer than the ascent time

28) An object is thrown vertically into the air. Because of air resistance, the time for its descent will be A) longer than the ascent time. B) shorter than the ascent time. C) equal to the ascent time. D) Not enough information given to say.

beneath the plane

30) An airplane flies at 40 m/s at an altitude of 50 meters. The pilot drops a heavy package which falls to the ground. Where, approximately, does the package land relative to the plane's new position? A) beneath the plane B) 400 m behind the plane C) 500 m behind the plane D) more than 500 m behind the plane E) none of these

600 m

31) A bullet is fired horizontally with an initial velocity of 300 m/s from a tower 20 m high. If air resistance is negligible, the horizontal distance the bullet travels before hitting the ground is about A) 200 m. B) 300 m. C) 400 m. D) 500 m. E) 600 m.

parallel to the surface of the Earth

36) The tangential velocity of an Earth satellite is its velocity A) parallel to the surface of the Earth. B) perpendicular to the surface of the Earth. C) attributed to satellites moving in any direction.

circular

38) If a satellite's radial velocity is zero at all times, its orbit must be A) parabolic. B) elliptical. C) circular. D) geosynchronous.

Nothing; they are continually falling as they orbit the Earth

40) What prevents satellites such as the space shuttle from falling? A) gravity B) centripetal force C) centrifugal force D) the absence of air drag E) Nothing; they are continually falling as they orbit the Earth.

all of these

41) The circular path of a satellite orbiting the Earth is characterized by a constant A) speed. B) acceleration. C) radial distance. D) all of these E) none of these

nearest the Earth

42) An Earth satellite is in an elliptical orbit. The satellite travels fastest when it is A) nearest the Earth. B) farthest from the Earth. C) It travels at constant speed everywhere in orbit.

the planet nearest the sun

43) The fastest moving planet in a solar system is A) the smallest planet. B) the most massive planet. C) the planet nearest the sun. D) the planet farthest from the sun. E) any planet, for they all move at the same speed.

more than 8 km/s

57) Minimal orbit speed about the Earth is about 8 km/s. Minimal orbital speed about Jupiter would be A) less than 8 km/s. B) more than 8 km/s. C) about 8 km/s.

both of these

68) Angular momentum is conserved for a satellite in A) circular orbit. B) elliptical orbit. C) both of these D) neither of these