AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Motion Of Orbiting Satellites

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Motion Of Orbiting Satellites, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 1.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: State the formula for centripetal force acting on an orbiting satellite.

Answer: $F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}$. Force needed to keep a satellite in circular motion.

Flashcard 2: What does the term 'semi-major axis' refer to in an elliptical orbit?

Answer: Longest radius from center to edge of ellipse. Half the longest diameter of the elliptical orbit.

Flashcard 3: Which direction does centripetal force point for an orbiting satellite?

Answer: Towards the center of the orbit. Centripetal force always points toward the center.

Flashcard 4: How does the eccentricity of an orbit affect its shape?

Answer: Higher eccentricity means more elongated orbit. Eccentricity measures how much orbit deviates from circular.

Flashcard 5: What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?

Answer: $T^2 \text{ is proportional to } r^3$. Period squared varies with radius cubed.

Flashcard 6: Which quantity remains constant for a satellite in a circular orbit?

Answer: Orbital speed. Constant radius and period give constant speed.

Flashcard 7: What is the term for the point in an orbit farthest from Earth?

Answer: Apogee. The farthest point in an elliptical orbit.

Flashcard 8: What is the effect on orbital speed when satellite's altitude increases?

Answer: Orbital speed decreases. Higher altitude means larger radius and slower speed.

Flashcard 9: State the formula for orbital speed of a satellite.

Answer: $v = \frac{2\text{π}r}{T}$. Circumference divided by period gives orbital speed.

Flashcard 10: What is meant by the term 'geosynchronous orbit'?

Answer: Orbit with a period equal to Earth's rotation period. Satellite appears stationary relative to Earth's surface.

Flashcard 11: What is the effect on orbiting satellite's period if it's moved to a higher orbit?

Answer: Period increases. Kepler's third law: larger orbits have longer periods.

Flashcard 12: Identify the main source of energy loss for satellites in low Earth orbit.

Answer: Atmospheric drag. Air resistance gradually slows down low-altitude satellites.

Flashcard 13: What is the effect on gravitational force if the distance $r$ is halved?

Answer: Force increases by a factor of 4. Force varies as $1/r^2$, so halving $r$ quadruples force.

Flashcard 14: What is the term for the path of a satellite around a celestial body?

Answer: Orbit. The curved path a satellite follows around a body.

Flashcard 15: State Kepler's second law of planetary motion.

Answer: A line from a planet to the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal times. Conservation of angular momentum causes varying speeds.

Flashcard 16: Identify the unit of orbital period $T$.

Answer: Seconds (s). Period is a time measurement.

Flashcard 17: What factor is responsible for the curvature of satellite orbits?

Answer: Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for curved motion.

Flashcard 18: What is the primary force acting on a satellite in orbit?

Answer: Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for orbital motion.

Flashcard 19: What does $G$ represent in the gravitational force formula?

Answer: Gravitational constant. The universal gravitational constant in Newton's law.

Flashcard 20: Identify the unit of the gravitational constant $G$.

Answer: N m²/kg². Derived from $F = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$ dimensional analysis.

Flashcard 21: State the formula for gravitational force between two masses.

Answer: $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$. Newton's law of universal gravitation for any two masses.

Flashcard 22: What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?

Answer: Planets orbit in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. Describes the elliptical shape of planetary orbits.

Flashcard 23: What is the relationship between gravitational force and centripetal force for satellites?

Answer: They are equal: $F_g = F_c$. Gravitational force provides the centripetal force for orbit.

Flashcard 24: State the formula for orbital speed of a satellite.

Answer: $v = \frac{2\text{π}r}{T}$. Circumference divided by period gives orbital speed.

Flashcard 25: Which direction does centripetal force point for an orbiting satellite?

Answer: Towards the center of the orbit. Centripetal force always points toward the center.

Flashcard 26: What factor is responsible for the curvature of satellite orbits?

Answer: Gravitational force. Gravity provides the centripetal acceleration for curved motion.

Flashcard 27: What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?

Answer: Planets orbit in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. Describes the elliptical shape of planetary orbits.

Flashcard 28: State the formula relating orbital period and radius for a satellite.

Answer: $T^2 = \frac{4\text{π}^2r^3}{GM}$. Derived from setting gravitational and centripetal forces equal.

Flashcard 29: State Kepler's second law of planetary motion.

Answer: A line from a planet to the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal times. Conservation of angular momentum causes varying speeds.

Flashcard 30: What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?

Answer: $T^2 \text{ is proportional to } r^3$. Period squared varies with radius cubed.