Orbital Physics

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

• Satellite a

• Satellite b

• Both the same

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Two satellites of equal mass are in circular orbit around a planet. Satellite b is twice as far out. How much stronger is the planet’s gravity on satellite a (compared to satellite b)?

• 2× as much

• 3× as much

• 4× as much

• 5× as much

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

The space shuttle is orbiting the Earth clockwise. Which vector shows the direction of the gravitational force acting on the shuttle?

• a

• b

• c

• d

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Why do astronauts in this space shuttle 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?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

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

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

You want to launch a satellite into Earth orbit. You already know Earth’s mass, and the satellite’s mass. What additional information do you need to calculate the gravitational force that will act on it?

• The height it will have

• The acceleration of gravity at the surface

• Earth's distance from the Sun

• The satellite's size

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

What are the factors which combine to to keep celestial bodies in orbit? 

• Air Resistance and Gravity 
• Gravity and Inertia 
• Inertia and orbital speed
• Orbital speed and gravity 

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NGSS.HS-PS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

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.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-4

Earth (m_earth = 5.97x10²⁴kg) orbits the sun (m_sun=1.99x10³⁰kg) at a mean distance of 1.50 x 10¹¹kg. What is the gravitational force of the Sun on the Earth? (G=6.67x10^-11Nm²kg^-2)

• 5.29 x 10³²N

• 3.52 x 10²²N

• 5.90 x 10^-2N

• 1.77 x 10^-8

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4