Satellite in orbit - forces involved

[jsmith613]

Homework Statement

A satellite orbits the Earth once every 120 minutes.
The satellite is in a state of free fall. What is meant by the term free fall? How can the height of the satellite stay constant if the satellite is in free fall? [3 marks]

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

So is this correct:

Free-fall: when the only force acting on an object is the gravitational force
- as the force is acting ppd to direction of motion, no work is done on the satellite
- the satellite moves in a circle at a constant speed at a constant height

 

[Infinitum]

Hi jsmith!

So is this correct:

Free-fall: when the only force acting on an object is the gravitational force
- as the force is acting ppd to direction of motion, no work is done on the satellite
- the satellite moves in a circle at a constant speed at a constant height

Yes!

 

[sacscale]

Homework Statement

A satellite orbits the Earth once every 120 minutes.
The satellite is in a state of free fall. What is meant by the term free fall? How can the height of the satellite stay constant if the satellite is in free fall? [3 marks]

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

So is this correct:

Free-fall: when the only force acting on an object is the gravitational force
- as the force is acting ppd to direction of motion, no work is done on the satellite
- the satellite moves in a circle at a constant speed at a constant height

Because the satellite is moving very fast. Another force would either slow the satellite down, so it would move closer to the earth, or speed it up, so it would move away from the earth.

 

[truesearch]

Homework Statement

A satellite orbits the Earth once every 120 minutes.
The satellite is in a state of free fall. What is meant by the term free fall? How can the height of the satellite stay constant if the satellite is in free fall? [3 marks]

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

So is this correct:

Free-fall: when the only force acting on an object is the gravitational force
- as the force is acting ppd to direction of motion, no work is done on the satellite
- the satellite moves in a circle at a constant speed at a constant height

I am an exams officer for a UK exam board. Can you let me know where this exam question came from ?.,... is it an exam question or a question from a teacher?

are you sure youhave worded the question correctly??

 

[asteriatic]

Yes, that is correct. In free fall, the only force acting on an object is gravity, causing it to accelerate towards the center of the Earth. This acceleration keeps the satellite in orbit, allowing it to maintain a constant height above the Earth's surface. This is possible because the gravitational force is balanced by the centripetal force, which is provided by the satellite's velocity. As long as the satellite maintains its speed and direction, it will continue to orbit the Earth at a constant height.