If the radius of a satellite’s circular orbit is doubled, how does this affect the satellite’s orbital speed?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question: If the radius of a satellite’s circular orbit is doubled, how does this affect the satellite’s orbital speed?

Option a: The speed stays the same. This is incorrect because in a circular orbit, the speed depends on the radius; increasing the radius changes the required centripetal force, so the speed cannot remain unchanged.

Option b: The speed becomes four times greater. This is not physically plausible for a satellite in a stable circular orbit around a central body. Increasing the orbit radius does not cause the speed to increase; in fact, it tends to decrease the needed speed.

Option c: The speed is reduced. This is true in general terms, but more precisely the speed decreases by a specific factor (see below). Doubling the radius reduces the orbital speed because v ∝ 1/√r for a gravitationally bound circular orbit, so the speed decreases, not stays the same or increases.

Option d: The speed is doubled. This contradicts the relationship v ∝ 1/√r; increasing r would not cause the speed to double. It would require a much smaller radius to reach a higher speed, not the same or a doubled value.

In summary, the correct qualitative statement is that the speed is reduced when the radius is doubled. The more precise relation is v2 = v1 / √2, since v ∝ 1/√r for a circular orbit, so doubling r lowers the speed by a factor of √2 (approximately 0.707 times the original speed).

SPH4U - Physics 12 (2025-26) - A

If the radius of a satellite’s circular orbit is doubled, how does this affect the satellite’s orbital speed?

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

What is the average velocity of the earth's motion around the sun over one year (355 days)? Take the radius of the earth's orbit to be 150*106 km.

This diagram shows a planet at four points in its orbit around the Sun. At which of the points shown is it traveling slowest in its orbit?

__________________ refers to the products, methods, inventions, and standards used for the purpose of producing information.

____________________ is data presented in a meaningful context.

_________________ framework—a model of the components of an information system: computer hardware, software, data, procedures, and people.

_______________________ is the ability to model the components of the system to connect the inputs and outputs among those components.

___________________ is the ability to make and manipulate models.

_____________ states that the value of a network is equal to the square of the number of users connected to it.

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单