Astrophysics Revision Quiz

What is the formula for the speed of a satellite in a circular orbit?

• V = sqrt(GM/R)

• V = GM^2/R

• V = GM/R^2

• V = 2πR/T

According to Kepler's Third Law, what is the relationship between the orbital period and the radius of orbit?

• T^2 ∝ R^3

• T ∝ R^2

• T^2 ∝ R

• T^3 ∝ R^2

What shape is the orbit of a planet according to Kepler's First Law?

• Circle

• Ellipse

• Parabola

• Hyperbola

What is the escape velocity formula derived from equating gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy?

• V = sqrt(2GM/R)

• V = sqrt(GM/R)

• V = GM/R

• V = 2GM/R^2

What is the orbital period of a geostationary satellite relative to Earth?

• 12 hours

• 6 hours

• 24 hours

• 48 hours

How is the height of a geostationary orbit calculated?

• By subtracting Earth's radius from the orbital radius

• By dividing Earth's radius by the orbital radius

• By adding Earth's radius to the orbital radius

• By multiplying Earth's radius with the orbital radius

What is the gravitational constant value used in calculations?

• 6.67 x 10^-11

• 9.81

• 3.14

• 1.62 x 10^-19

What is the mass of the Earth used in the geostationary orbit calculation?

• 1.99 x 10^30 kg

• 7.35 x 10^22 kg

• 6.0 x 10^24 kg

• 5.97 x 10^24 kg

What is the gravitational potential defined as?

• The force exerted by a gravitational field on a unit mass

• The energy required to move a mass within a gravitational field

• The work done to bring a unit mass from infinity to a point in a gravitational field

• The potential energy of a mass at a point in a gravitational field

What is the symbol for gravitational potential in most exam booklets?

• V

• G

• U

• Vg