Orbit Physics

When you toss a projectile sideways, it curves as it falls. It will be an Earth satellite if the curve it follows

• matches the curve of planet Earth.

• results in a straight line.

• spirals out indefinitely.

• is within 150 kilometers of Earth’s surface

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

When a satellite travels at constant speed, its shape is a(n)

• circle.

• ellipse.

• oval that is almost elliptical.

• square.

A satellite in elliptical orbit about Earth travels

• fastest when it moves closer to Earth.

• fastest when it moves farther from Earth.

• slowest when it moves closer to Earth.

• at the same rate for the entire orbit.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Energy is conserved when an Earth satellite travels

• in either a circular or elliptical orbit.

• in only an elliptical orbit.

• away from Earth.

• toward Earth

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

Kepler is credited as being the first to discover that the paths of planets around the sun are

• circles.

• ellipses.

• straight lines most of the time.

• spirals.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

When a projectile achieves escape speed from Earth, it

• forever leaves Earth’s gravitational field.

• outruns the influence of Earth’s gravity, but is never beyond it.

• comes to an eventual stop, eventually returning to Earth at some future time.

• has a potential energy and a kinetic energy that are reduced to zero.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

The orbital path of a satellite is shown in the sketch. Use the sketch to answer the question.

In which of the positions A through D does the satellite have the most KE?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

The orbital path of a satellite is shown in the sketch. Use the sketch to answer the question.

At what point does the satellite have most PE?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

The orbital path of a satellite is shown in the sketch. Use the sketch to answer the question.

At what point does it have highest total energy?

• Point B

• point A

• point D

• total energy is the same everywhere in the orbit

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

NGSS.HS-PS3-2