Satellites A and B orbit the Earth in circles, and B's radius is 9 times A's.
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Satellites A and B orbit the Earth in circles, and B's radius is times A's. Find the ratios , and , and, for equal masses, .
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
In a circular orbit of radius : , , independent of the satellite's mass. Its energies: , , .
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Speed. .
Step 2. Period. .
Step 3. Angular velocity. .
Step 4. Kinetic energy. .
Answer: , , , .
Check. : . It agrees.
Watch out. Each quantity has its own power of ; work them out from the formulas, not by guessing.
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