answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

An object in orbit is in what is known as "free-fall". The best way to understand this is to realise that the object has 2 motions: down, and sideways.

An object 1000 miles high in orbit will fall down towards the centre of the earth exactly 1000 miles. BUT, in the time it takes it to fall that 1000 miles, it moves EXACTLY 1000 miles sideways, so it is still exactly 1000 miles above the earth. It then falls exactly 1000 miles towards the centre of the earth, but in that time, moves another 1000 miles sideways, so it's STILL 1000 miles above the earth.

Now, change that 1000 miles down, for 10 miles, or 1 mile, or 1 inch, AND, change the 1000 miles sideways for 10 miles, 1 mile, 1 inch.

The concept of a stable orbit is that for each unit the object moves DOWN, it moves sideways far enough that it is still exactly the same height above the centre of what it is orbiting.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Which describes the force on a satellite keeping it in a circular orbit around the earth?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Astronomy

Is the satellite accelerating?

Yes, the satellite is accelerating because it is revolving around our earth and in a circular motion so its velocity changes every second so it is accelerating.A2. No, the satellite is not accelerating. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. But, its velocity is constant. The centrifugal effect is exactly balanced by the pull of gravity (assuming a circular orbit).But a nice question. The net acceleration between these forces is zero.


An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit of radius 42050 km. calculate its speed if it takes 24 hours to revolve around the sun?

Here we will use the following formula velocity of the satellite v = 2πr/T here r is the radius of the circular path travelled by the satellite = 42250 km and T is the time period = 24 hrs. here, the distance travelled by the satellite in 24 hrs would be the circumference of the circular path of radius 42050 . so, v = (2 X 3.14 X 42050) / 24 = 264074 / 24 :)


Draw a diagram showing the motion of a satellite around Earth is the satellite accelerating?

WikiAnswers cannot support diagrams - sorry. A satellite around the Earth will have an elliptical or (in some cases) a circular orbit. The satellite is constantly accelerating towards the Earth due to the gravity between the Earth and the satellite. However, because of the satellite's tangential velocity, it stays at a relatively constant distance from the Earth.


What is something that revolves around something else?

A satellite revolves around a planet. Planets revolve around a sun.


Is torque produce in satellite due to gravity?

A satellite small enough to be treated as a point particle. Can earth's gravity exert a torque on a satellite about the earth's center? Torque causes an object to rotate around a specific point. Torque = force * perpendicular distance and Torque = moment of Inertia * angular acceleration. When a satellite is launched, it is forced up to a specific distance from the earth's center and accelerated to a specific velocity parallel to the surface of the earth. The satellite continues moving in circular orbit. The force which causes the satellite to move in a circular path is the gravitational force caused by the mass of the earth, mass of the satellite, and distance from the center of mass of the earth to the center of mass of the satellite. This force causes the direction of the velocity to rotate so it is always tangent to the circle. This force produces the torque which makes causes the satellite to rotate so the direction of its velocity is always perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational force.

Related questions

What is a satellite orbit?

A satellite's orbit is just the path it follows around the Earth or some other planet.Satellites' orbits can be elliptical or circular.


The velocity required to keed a satellite in orbit around the Earth is called?

circular velocity


What describes a satellite which orbits a planet revolving around the sun?

A satellite is an object which orbits a larger body. For example, the Moon orbits the Earth, and the Earth orbits the Sun. The Moon is a satellite of the Earth and the Earth is a Satellite of the Sun.


Why do Satellites travel in a circular path?

Satellites orbit the Earth or other bodies due to a careful balance of their velocity and the gravitational attraction of the body. Essentially gravity pulls them down but their velocity moves then out (Newton's Fist Law of Motion) at the same rate. They keep missing the body they orbit.The path is not necessarily circular since the gravity over the Earth varies with the density of the ground below the satellite. They are also satisfied to be in an elliptical orbit (closer at some times than others). The moon is a good example of a satellite in an almost circular elliptical orbit. comets have wildly elliptical orbits.


Is the satellite accelerating?

Yes, the satellite is accelerating because it is revolving around our earth and in a circular motion so its velocity changes every second so it is accelerating.A2. No, the satellite is not accelerating. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. But, its velocity is constant. The centrifugal effect is exactly balanced by the pull of gravity (assuming a circular orbit).But a nice question. The net acceleration between these forces is zero.


An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit of radius 42050 km. calculate its speed if it takes 24 hours to revolve around the sun?

Here we will use the following formula velocity of the satellite v = 2πr/T here r is the radius of the circular path travelled by the satellite = 42250 km and T is the time period = 24 hrs. here, the distance travelled by the satellite in 24 hrs would be the circumference of the circular path of radius 42050 . so, v = (2 X 3.14 X 42050) / 24 = 264074 / 24 :)


Application of uniform circular motion?

Uniform circular motion is commonly observed in everyday situations such as a car moving around a roundabout or a satellite orbiting around Earth. It is also used in various engineering applications, including the design of amusement park rides, centrifuges in laboratories, and the operation of flywheels in mechanical systems. Understanding the principles of uniform circular motion is essential in fields such as physics, engineering, and astronomy.


Draw a diagram showing the motion of a satellite around Earth is the satellite accelerating?

WikiAnswers cannot support diagrams - sorry. A satellite around the Earth will have an elliptical or (in some cases) a circular orbit. The satellite is constantly accelerating towards the Earth due to the gravity between the Earth and the satellite. However, because of the satellite's tangential velocity, it stays at a relatively constant distance from the Earth.


How does satellite operates through the use of gravity?

Satellites operate through the use of gravity because the force of gravity on the satellite results in circular motion around the earth or any other celestial body, and if that force was too big it would cause the satellite to come crashing down and if it were too small the satellite would just go flying off into space


What will be the velocity of a satellite which is revolving around the earth in a circular orbit the radius R if the radius is increased from R to RR what will be the velocity?

the velocity will be velocity divided by square root of 2


Does earth's gravity do any work on satellite revolving around it?

NO. The gravity of Earth, in conjunction with the inertia of the satellite, keeps the satellite revolving around Earth. However, the satellite doesn't get any nearer to the Earth. So, according to the laws of physics, no work is done. (I'm ignoring the fact that satellites sometimes lose height and need to be "boosted" a bit to maintain their orbits. Also, I'm assuming that the satellite's orbit is circular. If the orbit is elliptical the answer is more or less the same, but a bit more complicated.)


there are may satellites the oribt earth Which of the follwing is an inpotant factor in keeping a communication satellite in orbit around earth?

'Which of the following?' need some details to be given.