If a satellite's speed is less than the required orbital speed, what will happen

Practice Questions

Q1
If a satellite's speed is less than the required orbital speed, what will happen?
  1. It will remain in orbit.
  2. It will fall back to Earth.
  3. It will escape into space.
  4. It will move to a higher orbit.

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

If a satellite's speed is less than the required orbital speed, what will happen?
  • Step 1: Understand that satellites need to move at a specific speed to stay in orbit around the Earth.
  • Step 2: Recognize that this specific speed is called the 'orbital speed.'
  • Step 3: If a satellite's speed is less than this orbital speed, it means it is moving too slowly.
  • Step 4: A satellite needs enough speed to create a force that keeps it in orbit, called 'centripetal force.'
  • Step 5: If the satellite is too slow, it won't generate enough centripetal force.
  • Step 6: Without enough centripetal force, the satellite cannot stay in orbit and will start to fall towards the Earth.
  • Step 7: Eventually, the satellite will descend and may crash back to the Earth's surface.
  • Orbital Mechanics – Understanding the relationship between speed, gravitational force, and orbital stability.
  • Centripetal Force – The force required to keep an object moving in a circular path, which in this case is provided by gravity.
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