a satellite is in a circular orbit at a constant velocity around the earth. how much work is done on the satellite?
None. Zero. If work was done on or by the satellite, the orbit would change. In a circular satellite orbit, motion is always perpendicular to the earth's gravity force, so no work is done.
thank you. I thought that but was not sure
In a circular orbit, the gravitational force does not do any work on the satellite. This is because the direction of the gravitational force is perpendicular to the direction of the satellite's motion.
Work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the displacement of the object in the direction of the force. Since there is no displacement in the direction of the gravitational force, no work is done on the satellite.
Therefore, the work done on the satellite in a circular orbit is zero.
To determine the amount of work done on a satellite in a circular orbit at a constant velocity around the Earth, we need to understand the concept of work and its calculation.
Work (W) is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the displacement of the object in the direction of the force. Mathematically, work is given by the equation:
W = F × d × cosθ
Where:
W = work done
F = force applied
d = displacement
θ = angle between the force and the direction of displacement
In this scenario, the satellite is in a circular orbit at a constant velocity. In a circular orbit, the force acting on the satellite is the gravitational force between the satellite and the Earth. However, since the satellite is moving around the Earth at a constant velocity, its displacement is perpendicular to the force of gravity.
When the angle between two vectors is 90 degrees, the cosine of the angle (cosθ) becomes zero. Thus, in this case, cosθ = 0, so the equation simplifies to:
W = F × d × 0
W = 0
Therefore, the amount of work done on the satellite is zero.