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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

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. The force on an orbiting object points towards the centre of the orbit.
    • B. Gravity provides the force that keeps planets and satellites in orbit.
    • C. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.
    • D. Astronauts on the ISS feel weightless because they are in free fall around Earth.

  2. Question 2

    A polar weather satellite orbits at a radius of about 7200 km from Earth's centre, taking 101 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  3. Question 3

    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 engines are always on
    • D. Its direction is always changing, so its velocity changes

  4. Question 4

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Gravity provides the force that keeps planets and satellites in orbit.
    • B. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.
    • 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.

  5. Question 5

    A polar weather satellite orbits at a radius of about 7200 km from Earth's centre, taking 101 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  6. Question 6

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

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

  7. Question 7

    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. The force on an orbiting object points towards the centre of the orbit.
    • D. Astronauts on the ISS feel weightless because they are in free fall around Earth.

  8. Question 8

    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

  9. Question 9

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

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

  10. Question 10

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

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

  11. Question 11

    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

  12. Question 12

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

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

  13. Question 13

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. The force on an orbiting object points towards the centre of the orbit.
    • B. Gravity provides the force that keeps planets and satellites in orbit.
    • C. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.
    • D. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.

  14. Question 14

    A polar weather satellite orbits at a radius of about 7200 km from Earth's centre, taking 101 minutes per orbit. What is its orbital speed, in km/s? (v = 2πr ÷ T; give 1 decimal place)

    Answerkm/s

  15. Question 15

    Why are geostationary satellites useful for TV broadcasts?

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

  16. Question 16

    Orbits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth.
    • B. Astronauts on the ISS feel weightless because they are in free fall around Earth.
    • C. The force on an orbiting object points towards the centre of the orbit.
    • D. Satellites need their engines on all the time to stay in orbit.

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

  1. 1. C. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.

  2. 2. 7.5 km/s

  3. 3. D. Its direction is always changing, so its velocity changes

  4. 4. B. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.

  5. 5. 7.5 km/s

  6. 6. A. Its direction is always changing, so its velocity changes

  7. 7. A. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.

  8. 8. 3.9 km/s

  9. 9. A. The ISS orbits much closer, so it must move faster around a much shorter path

  10. 10. D. A satellite in a circular orbit has a constant velocity.

  11. 11. 7.7 km/s

  12. 12. C. It must move faster

  13. 13. C. There is no gravity at the height of the ISS.

  14. 14. 7.5 km/s

  15. 15. A. They orbit once every 24 hours, so they stay above the same point on Earth

  16. 16. D. Satellites need their engines on all the time to stay in orbit.