Admin Table of Contents
How does centripetal force relate to satellites?
A satellite can be launched into orbit around Earth by accelerating it to a high tangential speed. When a satellite is in circular orbit, gravity is the only force acting on it, which means that the centripetal force and gravity must be equal: Fc = Fg .
Do satellites have centripetal force?
An orbiting satellite is close enough to be acted upon by Earth’s gravity. This force is constantly pulling the satellite in toward the center of the earth – it is a centripetal force and causes a centripetal acceleration.
What provides the centripetal force that keeps satellite in orbit?
Gravitational attraction provides the centripetal force needed to keep a planet in orbit around the Sun, and a satellite in orbit around a planet. For example, gravitational attraction between the Earth and the Moon keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth.
How does centripetal force apply to our solar system?
The sun is the largest body in the solar system. This force constantly pulls the object towards the centre of the circle. A force that pulls an object towards the centre of a circle is called centripetal force. The source for the centripetal force in the solar system is the gravitational force of the sun.
What is the net centripetal force of a satellite?
If the satellite moves in circular motion, then the net centripetal force acting upon this orbiting satellite is given by the relationship This net centripetal force is the result of the gravitational force that attracts the satellite towards the central body and can be represented as
What causes a satellite to orbit around the Earth?
In essence, when a satellite is orbiting around Earth due to gravity, the centripetal force (circular motion) is strictly caused by gravitational force. By rearranging the equation (see above), we can determine the velocity needed for the satellite to achieve this circular motion.
Which is the only force governing the motion of a satellite?
The fundamental principle to be understood concerning satellites is that a satellite is a projectile. That is to say, a satellite is an object upon which the only force is gravity. Once launched into orbit, the only force governing the motion of a satellite is the force of gravity.
How is the acceleration of a satellite directed?
The velocity of the satellite would be directed tangent to the circle at every point along its path. The acceleration of the satellite would be directed towards the center of the circle – towards the central body that it is orbiting.