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Because that's the way gravity works.

If you take Newton's simple formula for the mutual gravitational force between

any two objects, and if you have enough calculus and geometry to be able to

do it, you can massage it around and show that closed orbits must be ellipses,

and that the orbital speed must be greatest when the separation is smallest.

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A satellite in an elliptical orbit gains speed when it?

A satellite in an elliptical orbit gains speed when it moves closer to the body it is orbiting due to the conservation of angular momentum. This increase in speed occurs as the gravitational force from the body pulls the satellite inwards, causing it to accelerate.


At what part of an elliptical orbit does a satellite have the greatest speed the least speed?

in the orbit of a planet there is a point called perihelion which is closest point to the sun and aphelion which is furthest from the sun . Moment of a planet in it's elliptical orbit reaches it's maximum in perihelion


What is an object that moves in an?

An object that moves in an elliptical path around another object could be a satellite orbiting a planet, such as a moon around Earth. The elliptical path follows the laws of gravity and allows the object to maintain a stable orbit.


How does the mass of a satellite affect its orbit?

The mass of a satellite does not affect its orbit. The orbit of a satellite is determined by its speed and the gravitational pull of the object it is orbiting around, such as a planet. The mass of the satellite itself does not play a significant role in determining its orbit.


What is the centripetal force that acts on satellites by continiously changing their direction of motion?

The centripetal force acting on satellites is gravity, specifically the gravitational force between the satellite and the celestial body it is orbiting. This force pulls the satellite towards the center of the orbit, continuously changing its direction of motion and keeping it in a circular or elliptical orbit around the celestial body.

Related Questions

Why does the speed of a satellite undergo change in an elliptical orbit?

The speed of a satellite changes in an elliptical orbit because the satellite moves faster when it is closer to the central body due to gravitational acceleration, and slower when it is farther away. This change in speed is necessary to balance the varying gravitational force experienced by the satellite at different points in its orbit.


What is an elliptical satellite?

An elliptical satellite is a type of satellite that orbits Earth in an elliptical path, meaning its distance from Earth varies throughout its orbit. This results in the satellite moving closer to and farther from Earth as it completes its orbit. Elliptical satellites are commonly used for applications like communication and remote sensing.


A satellite in an elliptical orbit travels at constant what?

If the path is perfectly circular, yes, the speed is constant. This should not be confused with the velocity, because while speed is constant, its direction is not; therefore velocity is always changing.


What is pogee?

Apogee is the point at which a satellite in an elliptical orbit is At its apogee, the satellite travels slower than at any other point in its orbit.


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.


A satellite in an elliptical orbit gains speed when it?

A satellite in an elliptical orbit gains speed when it moves closer to the body it is orbiting due to the conservation of angular momentum. This increase in speed occurs as the gravitational force from the body pulls the satellite inwards, causing it to accelerate.


The path of a satellite orbiting the earth is best described as linear hyperbolic parabolic or elliptical?

Elliptical. The satellite follows a curved path around the Earth known as an elliptical orbit, where it travels at varying distances from the planet.


A satellite in an elliptical orbit loses speed when it?

A satellite in a closed orbit has the greatest speed when it's closest to the planet, and the lowest speed when it's farthest from the planet.


The curved path that a satellite follows is a?

The curved path that a satellite follows is called an orbit. This orbit is typically elliptical in shape and allows the satellite to remain in constant motion around the celestial body it is orbiting, such as the Earth.


Gravity affects the speed of a satellite in an elliptical orbit?

Yes. Gravity affects EVERYTHING.


Where is the primary body in the elliptical orbit of the maverick weather satellite?

The primary body, earth, is at the foci point closest to the pedigree. At the pedigree the radius is shorter than it is at the apogee.


What is an apolune?

An apolune is the point of an elliptical lunar orbit where the distance between the satellite and the Moon is at its maximum.