Which factor is not needed when calculating the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet?(1 point)
Responses
the orbital radius of the satellite
the orbital radius of the satellite
the mass of the planet
the mass of the planet
the mass of the satellite
the mass of the satellite
the universal gravitational constant
the universal gravitational constant is not needed when calculating the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet.
The factor that is not needed when calculating the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet is the mass of the satellite.
To calculate the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet, you would need to consider several factors. However, one factor that is not needed when calculating the velocity is the mass of the satellite. The other factors that are necessary in determining the velocity of a satellite include:
1. The orbital radius of the satellite: The distance between the center of the planet and the satellite determines the length of the satellite's orbit. The orbital radius is essential in calculating the velocity because it directly influences the gravitational force acting on the satellite.
2. The mass of the planet: The mass of the planet also affects the gravitational force acting on the satellite. The larger the mass of the planet, the stronger the gravitational pull, which affects the velocity of the satellite.
3. The universal gravitational constant (G): The universal gravitational constant is a fundamental constant that appears in the equation for calculating the gravitational force between two objects. It is necessary to ensure accurate calculations of the gravitational force acting on the satellite.
By considering the orbital radius of the satellite, the mass of the planet, and the universal gravitational constant, you can calculate the velocity of a satellite orbiting a planet. The mass of the satellite itself is not required in this calculation.