What happens to the gravitational force and orbital velocity of a satellite as the satellite transfers to an orbit that is closer to earth?
A) the gravitational force increases and the velocity decreases
B) the gravitational force decreases and the velocity increases
C) the gravitational force increases and the velocity increases
D) the gravitational force decreases and the velocity decreases
Did you get the answer?
As a satellite transfers to an orbit that is closer to Earth, the gravitational force and orbital velocity will both increase. Therefore, the correct answer is:
C) the gravitational force increases and the velocity increases
To understand what happens to the gravitational force and orbital velocity of a satellite as it transfers to an orbit closer to Earth, we need to consider the basic principles of gravity and orbital mechanics.
When a satellite is in orbit around a celestial body like Earth, it experiences a gravitational force towards the center of that body. The strength of this gravitational force depends on the mass of the celestial body (in this case, Earth) and the distance between the satellite and the center of the body (the radius of the orbit).
Now, as the satellite transfers to an orbit that is closer to Earth, the distance between the satellite and the center of the Earth decreases. According to the universal law of gravitation, which states that the force of gravity between any two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them, the gravitational force increases as the distance decreases.
Therefore, we can eliminate options B and D, as they suggest a decrease in the gravitational force.
Next, let's consider the effect on the orbital velocity of the satellite. Orbital velocity is the speed required for an object to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body. It is determined by the gravitational force between the two objects.
As the satellite transfers to an orbit closer to Earth, the gravitational force increases. According to Kepler's laws of planetary motion, the square of the orbital period (which is related to the orbital velocity) is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of the orbit. In simpler terms, as the distance from the center of the Earth decreases, the orbital velocity increases to maintain a stable orbit.
Thus, we can conclude that as a satellite transfers to an orbit closer to Earth, the gravitational force increases (option C) and the orbital velocity also increases. Therefore, the correct answer is C) the gravitational force increases and the velocity increases.