Orbital motion of artificial satellites: relationship between radius and speed
I can describe changes to a satellite’s speed and velocity and explain what happens to its orbital radius if its speed changes.
Orbital motion of artificial satellites: relationship between radius and speed
I can describe changes to a satellite’s speed and velocity and explain what happens to its orbital radius if its speed changes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Artificial satellites orbit Earth because of the gravitational attraction between them.
- The speed of a satellite along its orbit around Earth is constant.
- The velocity of a satellite along its orbit around Earth constantly changes as it changes direction.
- The centripetal force on a satellite makes it accelerate and change direction, but not speed.
- To orbit in a stable orbit, the orbital radius of a satellite must change if its speed changes.
Keywords
Satellite - an object which orbits a planet; satellites can be natural (moons) or artificial
Polar orbit - an orbit in which the satellite passes over the poles of a planet
Geostationary orbit - an orbit in which the satellite is stationary in the sky as it orbits in the same time as the planet, directly above its equator
Orbital path - the path a satellite takes around the planet it orbits
Orbital radius - the radius of an orbit, measured from the centre of a planet
Common misconception
Motion is always in the direction of the force acting on an object.
Provide pupils with opportunity to experience a radial force changing the direction of a small object in order to make it move in a circular path.
Equipment
Thin plastic tubes (e.g. shells of ballpoint pens), rubber bung, strong thread, masses and mass holder.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...