If a satellite's altitude is doubled, how does its orbital speed change?

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Question: If a satellite\'s altitude is doubled, how does its orbital speed change?

Options:

Correct Answer: Decreases by √2

Solution:

If a satellite\'s altitude is doubled, its orbital speed decreases by √2.

If a satellite's altitude is doubled, how does its orbital speed change?

If a satellite's altitude is doubled, how does its orbital speed change?

Step 1: Understand that a satellite orbits a planet due to gravity.
Step 2: Know that the orbital speed of a satellite depends on its distance from the center of the planet.
Step 3: Recognize that altitude is the height above the planet's surface.
Step 4: If the altitude is doubled, the total distance from the center of the planet increases.
Step 5: Use the formula for orbital speed, which is related to the gravitational force and distance.
Step 6: Realize that when the distance is increased, the orbital speed decreases.
Step 7: Specifically, if the altitude is doubled, the new speed is reduced by a factor of √2.

Orbital Mechanics – Understanding how altitude affects the gravitational force and orbital speed of a satellite.
Kepler's Laws – Application of Kepler's laws of planetary motion, particularly how orbital speed is related to distance from the central body.
Gravitational Force – The relationship between gravitational force, altitude, and orbital velocity.