Question

Q2. Satellite are in circular orbit around the Earth.
What is the relationship between the radii r of
their orbits and their speeds v?

Α. ν is directly proportional to r^2

B. V is directly proportional to r

C. V^2 is inversely proportional to r

D. V is inversely proportional to r^2

Answer 1

Explanation:

Centripetal force = gravitational force

r

mv

0

2

=

r

2

GmM

From the above relations, we can conclude that:

The centripetal force balancing the gravitational force on the satellite is directly proportional to the velocity and inversely proportional to the radius of the orbit.

Thus;

i. If the velocity increases, the centripetal force will also increase and to counter that, the radius of the orbit should decrease.

ii. If we keep the radius unaltered in the equation, the centripetal force will increase more than the gravitational force and the satellite will escape.