Ch 14: Satellite Motion

Two satellites of equal mass are in circular orbit around a planet. Satellite B is twice as far out as Satellite A. Which one feels a stronger gravitational force?

• Satellite A

• Satellite B

• Both the same

Why do astronauts in the International Space Station feel weightless?

• They are in free fall, at the same rate as the shuttle

• There is an equal force pulling them away from Earth

• The gravity at that distance is too small to feel

• They pull on Earth as hard as it pulls on them

Which diagram best shows the gravitational interaction between Earth and a satellite?

• 
• 
• 
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If you could go to the center of the Earth, how would your weight change?

• increase a lot

• increase slightly

• stay the same

• decrease slightly

• become zero

What did Kepler discover about planets and their orbital speed?

• Planets closest to the Sun will orbit with the fastest orbital speed.
• Planets with the greatest mass will orbit the Sun with the fastest orbital speed.
• Planets furthest from the Sun will orbit with the fastest orbital speed.
• Planets with the least mass will orbit the Sun with the fastest orbital speed.

Geostationary satellites are positioned:

• Over the equator

• Randomly

• Over the North Pole

• Over the South Pole

The period of geostationary artificial satellite of earth is:

• 6 hours

• 24 hours

• 12 hours

• 365 days

The period of a satellite in a circular orbit around a planet is independent of:

• The radius of the planet

• The mass of the planet

• The mass of the satellite

• All of these

A satellite revolves around the earth in an elliptical orbit. Its speed:

• Is the same at all points in the orbit

• Is greatest when it is closest to the earth

• Is greatest when it is farthest from the earth

• Goes on increasing or decreasing continuously depending upon the mass of the satellite

Which of the following is not true?

• Weight is different in different places.
• weight depends on 'g'
• Mass is same even on the surface of the moon
• Weight is same on all the planets