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Orbits and orbital speed (v = 2πr / T)

11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 16 questions · Common Core: NGSS.HS-ESS1-4, NGSS.HS-PS2-4 · England: GCSE Physics: Space physics (orbital motion)

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  1. Question 1

    The International Space Station orbits at a radius of about 6780 km from Earth's centre, taking 92 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  2. Question 2

    The Moon takes about 27 days to orbit Earth, but the ISS takes about 90 minutes. Why the difference?

    • A. The ISS has no mass
    • B. The Moon orbits a different planet
    • C. The Moon is pushed by the Sun
    • D. The ISS orbits much closer, so it must move faster around a much shorter path

  3. Question 3

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.
    • B. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.
    • C. Astronauts on the ISS feel weightless because they are in free fall around Earth.
    • D. Gravity provides the force that keeps planets and satellites in orbit.

  4. Question 4

    The International Space Station orbits at a radius of about 6780 km from Earth's centre, taking 92 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  5. Question 5

    A satellite moves at a steady speed in a circular orbit. Why is it accelerating?

    • A. It is not accelerating
    • B. Its speed increases every orbit
    • C. Its direction is always changing, so its velocity changes
    • D. Its engines are always on

  6. Question 6

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.
    • B. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.
    • C. Astronauts on the ISS feel weightless because they are in free fall around Earth.
    • D. The force on an orbiting object points towards the centre of the orbit.

  7. Question 7

    A geostationary satellite orbits at a radius of about 42160 km from Earth's centre, taking 1436 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  8. Question 8

    How does orbital speed change for a smaller (lower) stable orbit?

    • A. It must move faster
    • B. It must move slower
    • C. Speed does not depend on radius
    • D. It stops

  9. Question 9

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Gravity provides the force that keeps planets and satellites in orbit.
    • B. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.
    • C. The force on an orbiting object points towards the centre of the orbit.
    • D. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.

  10. Question 10

    The International Space Station orbits at a radius of about 6780 km from Earth's centre, taking 92 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  11. Question 11

    How does orbital speed change for a smaller (lower) stable orbit?

    • A. It must move slower
    • B. Speed does not depend on radius
    • C. It stops
    • D. It must move faster

  12. Question 12

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.
    • B. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.
    • C. Astronauts on the ISS feel weightless because they are in free fall around Earth.
    • D. Gravity provides the force that keeps planets and satellites in orbit.

  13. Question 13

    A GPS satellite orbits at a radius of about 26560 km from Earth's centre, taking 718 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  14. Question 14

    Why are geostationary satellites useful for TV broadcasts?

    • A. They do not move
    • B. They orbit once every 24 hours, so they stay above the same point on Earth
    • C. They pass over the poles
    • D. They orbit very close to the ground

  15. Question 15

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.
    • B. The force on an orbiting object points towards the centre of the orbit.
    • C. Astronauts on the ISS feel weightless because they are in free fall around Earth.
    • D. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.

  16. Question 16

    A geostationary satellite orbits at a radius of about 42160 km from Earth's centre, taking 1436 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

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  1. 7.7 km/s
  2. The ISS orbits much closer, so it must move faster around a much shorter path
  3. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.
  4. 7.7 km/s
  5. Its direction is always changing, so its velocity changes
  6. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.
  7. 3.1 km/s
  8. It must move faster
  9. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.
  10. 7.7 km/s
  11. It must move faster
  12. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.
  13. 3.9 km/s
  14. They orbit once every 24 hours, so they stay above the same point on Earth
  15. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.
  16. 3.1 km/s