Understanding Orbits and Energy

A spacecraft of mass 1.0 × 10⁶ kg is in orbit around the Sun at a radius of 1.1 × 10¹¹ m

The spacecraft moves into a new orbit of radius 2.5 × 10¹¹ m around the Sun.

What is the total change in gravitational potential energy of the spacecraft?

• –6.76 × 10¹⁴ J

• –3.38 × 10¹⁴ J

• 3.38 × 10¹⁴ J

• 6.76 × 10¹⁴ J

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

Which graph shows the relationship between the time period T and the orbital radius r of a planet in orbit around the Sun?

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• 

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

A satellite X of mass m is in a concentric circular orbit of radius R about a planet of mass M.

What is the kinetic energy of X?

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• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

Satellites X and Y orbit the Earth at distances R and 4R respectively, as shown in the diagram.

Which statement is incorrect?

• The speed of Y is greater than the speed of X

• The time period of Y is greater than the time period of X

• The potential energy of Y is greater than the potential energy of X.

• The gravitational force acting on Y is less than the gravitational force acting on X.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

A geosynchronous satellite is in a constant radius orbit around the Earth. The Earth has a mass of 6.0 × 10²⁴ kg and a radius of 6.4 × 10⁶ m.

What is the height of the satellite above the Earth’s surface?

• 1.3 × 10⁷ m

• 3.6 × 10⁷ m

• 4.2 × 10⁷ m

• 4.8 × 10⁷ m

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

A satellite X is in a circular orbit of radius r about the centre of a spherical planet of mass M. Which line, A to D, in the table gives correct expressions for the centripetal acceleration a and the speed v of the satellite?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

A satellite orbiting the Earth moves to an orbit which is closer to the Earth.

Which line shows correctly what happens to the speed of the satellite and to the time it takes for one orbit of the Earth?

• Speed of satellite: decreases

  Time For One Orbit Of Earth: decreases

• Speed of satellite: decreases

  Time For One Orbit Of Earth: increases

• Speed of satellite: increases

  Time For One Orbit Of Earth: decreases

• Speed of satellite: increases

  Time For One Orbit Of Earth: increases

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Two satellites P and Q, of equal mass, orbit the Earth at radii R and 2R respectively. Which one of the following statements is correct?

• P has less kinetic energy and more potential energy than Q.

• P has less kinetic energy and less potential energy than Q.

• P has more kinetic energy and less potential energy than Q.

• P has more kinetic energy and more potential energy than Q.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

The Earth moves around the Sun in a circular orbit with a radius of 1.5 × 10⁸ km. What is the Earth’s approximate speed?

• 1.5 × 10³ms^–1

• 5.0 × 10³ms^–1

• 1.0 × 10⁴ms^–1

• 3.0 × 10⁴ms^–1

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Two satellites, P and Q, of the same mass, are in circular orbits around the Earth. The radius of the orbit of Q is three times that of P. Which one of the following statements is correct?

• The kinetic energy of P is greater than that of Q.

• The weight of P is three times that of Q.

• The time period of P is greater than that of Q.

• The speed of P is three times that of Q.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4