Orbital Motion

The orbital period of an object is 2 × 107 s and its total radius is 4 × 1010 m. The tangential speed of the satellite, written in standard notation, is ________ m/s.

12,560

Brendan drew a diagram to illustrate the centripetal force acting on a satellite. How can Brendan correct his diagram?

Change the Fg = Fc vector so it is perpendicular to the v vector.

A group of scientists is trying to launch an object into orbit, and the object is traveling at 6500 m/s. Which best explains why the object will not successfully orbit Earth?

There is not enough air resistance to keep the object moving. wrong There is not enough friction to keep the object moving. The object is not traveling fast enough to match Earth's curvature. wrong The object is traveling too fast to match Earth's curvature.

What causes a satellite to move tangentially to a circular path?

air resistance friction inertia gravity

Why are satellites placed into orbit at least 150 km above Earth's surface?

to avoid air resistance to match Earth's curvature wrong to create inertia wrong to increase friction

Which formula can be used to find the tangential speed of an orbiting object?

v = 2hr/ T

Which object would be considered to be in free fall?

wrong one that experiences both friction and centripetal force one that is truly weightless wrong one that is slowed down by air resistance one with only gravity acting upon it

Two satellites, X and Y, are orbiting Earth. Satellite X is 1.2 × 106 m from Earth, and Satellite Y is 1.9 × 105 m from Earth. Which best compares the satellites?

Satellite X has a greater period and a slower tangential speed than Satellite Y.

Which would cause the greatest increase in the acceleration of a satellite?

a decrease in the radius and an increase in the tangential speed

Enrique is given information about a satellite orbiting Earth. r = 3.8 × 108 m T = 18 days In order to calculate the tangential speed of the satellite, what should Enrique do first?

convert the orbital period to seconds