Question

A body is suspended from a spring balance kept in a satellite. The reading of the balance is W1 when the satellite goes in an orbit of radius R and is W2 when it goes in an orbit of radius 2 −R.
(a) W1 = W2
(b) W1 < W2
(c) W1 > W2
(d) W1≠W2.

Answer 1

Answer:

(b) I think so .........................,............

Answer 2

The reading of the balance is W1 = W2.  

Explanation:

• In an orbit, the satellite has the body weight of zero provided the orbit’s radius could be whatever. Because of the satellite’s rotation, the reading is shown as W1 by the spring balance about its own axis.
• Let us assume that another orbit has the same rotation, W₁ = W₂.
• An example is shown below:
• At any orbital radius, around the earth, the body revolves around the earth and by the centrifugal force, the gravitational force towards earth is countered and it is shown as Fg  = Fv.
• So, when the satellite hangs for a body, W1 + Fv = W1   = 0
• So, W1=W2.