- #1
cyberdiver
- 23
- 3
Why is the period of a satellite's orbit independent of its mass? I understand that its mass cancels out mathematically, but I don't understand it intuitively. The way I'm seeing this, if a satellite has a greater mass, it would have a greater pull on the body it is orbiting, and hence would require a greater orbital velocity to counter centripetal force.
I find it difficult to comprehend that an asteroid and a neutron star would orbit a planet with the same period, especially as it would be more accurate to say that the planet would be orbiting the neutron star.
I find it difficult to comprehend that an asteroid and a neutron star would orbit a planet with the same period, especially as it would be more accurate to say that the planet would be orbiting the neutron star.