Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a satellite in a stable orbit?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a satellite in a stable orbit?
It experiences no net force.
It moves with constant speed.
It has a constant distance from the Earth.
It is in free fall.
A satellite in a stable orbit does experience a net force (gravitational force), but it is in free fall, moving with constant speed along a curved path.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a satellite in a stable orbit?
Solution: A satellite in a stable orbit does experience a net force (gravitational force), but it is in free fall, moving with constant speed along a curved path.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand what a satellite in a stable orbit is. A satellite is an object that travels around a planet or another celestial body.
Step 2: Recognize that a stable orbit means the satellite is moving in a curved path around the planet without crashing into it or flying away.
Step 3: Identify the forces acting on the satellite. The main force is gravity, which pulls the satellite towards the planet.
Step 4: Realize that even though the satellite is being pulled by gravity, it is also moving forward at a constant speed, which keeps it in orbit.
Step 5: Understand that being in free fall means the satellite is falling towards the planet but is also moving forward fast enough to keep missing it.
Step 6: Determine what is NOT a characteristic of a satellite in a stable orbit. Look for something that contradicts the idea of being in a stable orbit.
