Motion of Orbiting Satellites - AP Physics 1
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State the formula for centripetal force acting on an orbiting satellite.
State the formula for centripetal force acting on an orbiting satellite.
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$F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}$. Force needed to keep a satellite in circular motion.
$F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}$. Force needed to keep a satellite in circular motion.
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What does the term 'semi-major axis' refer to in an elliptical orbit?
What does the term 'semi-major axis' refer to in an elliptical orbit?
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Longest radius from center to edge of ellipse. Half the longest diameter of the elliptical orbit.
Longest radius from center to edge of ellipse. Half the longest diameter of the elliptical orbit.
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Which direction does centripetal force point for an orbiting satellite?
Which direction does centripetal force point for an orbiting satellite?
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Towards the center of the orbit. Centripetal force always points toward the center.
Towards the center of the orbit. Centripetal force always points toward the center.
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How does the eccentricity of an orbit affect its shape?
How does the eccentricity of an orbit affect its shape?
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Higher eccentricity means more elongated orbit. Eccentricity measures how much orbit deviates from circular.
Higher eccentricity means more elongated orbit. Eccentricity measures how much orbit deviates from circular.
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What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?
What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?
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$T^2 \text{ is proportional to } r^3$. Period squared varies with radius cubed.
$T^2 \text{ is proportional to } r^3$. Period squared varies with radius cubed.
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Which quantity remains constant for a satellite in a circular orbit?
Which quantity remains constant for a satellite in a circular orbit?
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Orbital speed. Constant radius and period give constant speed.
Orbital speed. Constant radius and period give constant speed.
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What is the term for the point in an orbit farthest from Earth?
What is the term for the point in an orbit farthest from Earth?
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Apogee. The farthest point in an elliptical orbit.
Apogee. The farthest point in an elliptical orbit.
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What is the effect on orbital speed when satellite's altitude increases?
What is the effect on orbital speed when satellite's altitude increases?
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Orbital speed decreases. Higher altitude means larger radius and slower speed.
Orbital speed decreases. Higher altitude means larger radius and slower speed.
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State the formula for orbital speed of a satellite.
State the formula for orbital speed of a satellite.
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$v = \frac{2\text{π}r}{T}$. Circumference divided by period gives orbital speed.
$v = \frac{2\text{π}r}{T}$. Circumference divided by period gives orbital speed.
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What is meant by the term 'geosynchronous orbit'?
What is meant by the term 'geosynchronous orbit'?
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Orbit with a period equal to Earth's rotation period. Satellite appears stationary relative to Earth's surface.
Orbit with a period equal to Earth's rotation period. Satellite appears stationary relative to Earth's surface.
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What is the effect on orbiting satellite's period if it's moved to a higher orbit?
What is the effect on orbiting satellite's period if it's moved to a higher orbit?
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Period increases. Kepler's third law: larger orbits have longer periods.
Period increases. Kepler's third law: larger orbits have longer periods.
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Identify the main source of energy loss for satellites in low Earth orbit.
Identify the main source of energy loss for satellites in low Earth orbit.
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Atmospheric drag. Air resistance gradually slows down low-altitude satellites.
Atmospheric drag. Air resistance gradually slows down low-altitude satellites.
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What is the effect on gravitational force if the distance $r$ is halved?
What is the effect on gravitational force if the distance $r$ is halved?
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Force increases by a factor of 4. Force varies as $1/r^2$, so halving $r$ quadruples force.
Force increases by a factor of 4. Force varies as $1/r^2$, so halving $r$ quadruples force.
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What is the term for the path of a satellite around a celestial body?
What is the term for the path of a satellite around a celestial body?
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Orbit. The curved path a satellite follows around a body.
Orbit. The curved path a satellite follows around a body.
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State Kepler's second law of planetary motion.
State Kepler's second law of planetary motion.
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A line from a planet to the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal times. Conservation of angular momentum causes varying speeds.
A line from a planet to the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal times. Conservation of angular momentum causes varying speeds.
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Identify the unit of orbital period $T$.
Identify the unit of orbital period $T$.
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Seconds (s). Period is a time measurement.
Seconds (s). Period is a time measurement.
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What factor is responsible for the curvature of satellite orbits?
What factor is responsible for the curvature of satellite orbits?
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Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for curved motion.
Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for curved motion.
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What is the primary force acting on a satellite in orbit?
What is the primary force acting on a satellite in orbit?
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Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for orbital motion.
Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for orbital motion.
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What does $G$ represent in the gravitational force formula?
What does $G$ represent in the gravitational force formula?
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Gravitational constant. The universal gravitational constant in Newton's law.
Gravitational constant. The universal gravitational constant in Newton's law.
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Identify the unit of the gravitational constant $G$.
Identify the unit of the gravitational constant $G$.
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N m²/kg². Derived from $F = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$ dimensional analysis.
N m²/kg². Derived from $F = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$ dimensional analysis.
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State the formula for gravitational force between two masses.
State the formula for gravitational force between two masses.
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$F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$. Newton's law of universal gravitation for any two masses.
$F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$. Newton's law of universal gravitation for any two masses.
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What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?
What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?
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Planets orbit in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. Describes the elliptical shape of planetary orbits.
Planets orbit in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. Describes the elliptical shape of planetary orbits.
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What is the relationship between gravitational force and centripetal force for satellites?
What is the relationship between gravitational force and centripetal force for satellites?
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They are equal: $F_g = F_c$. Gravitational force provides the centripetal force for orbit.
They are equal: $F_g = F_c$. Gravitational force provides the centripetal force for orbit.
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State the formula for orbital speed of a satellite.
State the formula for orbital speed of a satellite.
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$v = \frac{2\text{π}r}{T}$. Circumference divided by period gives orbital speed.
$v = \frac{2\text{π}r}{T}$. Circumference divided by period gives orbital speed.
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Which direction does centripetal force point for an orbiting satellite?
Which direction does centripetal force point for an orbiting satellite?
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Towards the center of the orbit. Centripetal force always points toward the center.
Towards the center of the orbit. Centripetal force always points toward the center.
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What factor is responsible for the curvature of satellite orbits?
What factor is responsible for the curvature of satellite orbits?
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Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for curved motion.
Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for curved motion.
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What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?
What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?
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Planets orbit in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. Describes the elliptical shape of planetary orbits.
Planets orbit in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. Describes the elliptical shape of planetary orbits.
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State the formula relating orbital period and radius for a satellite.
State the formula relating orbital period and radius for a satellite.
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$T^2 = \frac{4\text{π}^2r^3}{GM}$. Derived from setting gravitational and centripetal forces equal.
$T^2 = \frac{4\text{π}^2r^3}{GM}$. Derived from setting gravitational and centripetal forces equal.
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State Kepler's second law of planetary motion.
State Kepler's second law of planetary motion.
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A line from a planet to the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal times. Conservation of angular momentum causes varying speeds.
A line from a planet to the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal times. Conservation of angular momentum causes varying speeds.
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What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?
What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?
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$T^2 \text{ is proportional to } r^3$. Period squared varies with radius cubed.
$T^2 \text{ is proportional to } r^3$. Period squared varies with radius cubed.
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