Orbital Motion Quiz

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

A satellite orbiting Earth has a tangential velocity of 5000 m/s. Earth's mass is 6 × 1024 kg and its radius is 6.4 × 106 m. The distance of the satellite from Earth, written in standard notation, is

9,600,000 m.

Sid created a chart to summarize characteristics of satellite motion. Which best describes Sid's error? Tangential speed changes throughout a satellite's orbit. Centripetal force is perpendicular to the velocity of the satellite. Tangential speed increases with a satellite's increasing distance from Earth. Centripetal force can sometimes slow down a satellite in orbit.

Centripetal force is perpendicular to the velocity of the satellite.

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

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

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

The object is not traveling fast enough to match Earth's curvature.

Which would cause the greatest increase in the acceleration of a satellite? a decrease in the radius and the tangential speed an increase in the radius and the tangential speed a decrease in the radius and an increase in the tangential speed an increase in the radius and a decrease in the tangential speed

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 radius to kilometers convert the orbital period to seconds find the square root of the radius find the square root of the orbital period

convert the orbital period to seconds

Once an object enters orbit, what keeps the object moving sideways? inertia gravity centripetal force air resistance

inertia

What causes a satellite to move tangentially to a circular path? air resistance friction inertia gravity

inertia

Hannah has information about an object in circular orbit around Earth. mEarth = 6.0 × 1024 kg G = 6.67 × 10-11 What additional information does Hannah need in order to calculate the tangential speed of the orbiting object? the mass of the orbiting object the distance of the orbiting object to Earth the orbital period of Earth the radius of Earth

the distance of the orbiting object to Earth

Lexy used the formula shown to calculate the force of gravity on a space shuttle. Fg = G What does 3 × 105 kg represent? the difference between Earth's mass and the space shuttle's mass the sum of Earth's mass and the space shuttle's mass the mass of Earth the mass of the space shuttle

the mass of the space shuttle

Why are satellites placed into orbit at least 150 km above Earth's surface? to avoid air resistance to match Earth's curvature to create inertia to increase friction

to avoid air resistance

Which formula can be used to find the tangential speed of an orbiting object? v = v = v = G v = r

v= 2pier/T