Satellite In Elliptical Orbit Physics

State all answers in terms of the given quantities and fundamental constants the satellite is initially in an elliptical orbit as shown in the diagram to the right.

Satellite in elliptical orbit physics. Occasionally satellites will orbit in paths that can be described as ellipses. The satellites orbit around a central massive body in either a circular or elliptical manner. A satellite of mass m is in orbit about the earth which has mass m and radius r. Each satellite rotates into the farthest point from earth where it spends about 8 hours.

The period of a satellite is the time it takes it to make one full orbit around an object. A satellite orbiting about the earth moves in a circular motion at a constant speed and at fixed height by moving with a tangential velocity that allows it to fall at the same rate at which the earth curves. A satellite in a circular orbit has a uniform angular velocity. The satellite obeys kepler s second law of planetary motion so the speed at.

Elliptic orbit motion of a satellite in an elliptical orbit around a planet. Similar motion characteristics apply for satellites moving in elliptical paths. However a satellite in an elliptical orbit must travel faster when it is closer to earth. Because the radius and period are related you can use physics to calculate one if you know the other.

It can be shown that a more general expression for the velocity of an orbiting satellite is a 1 r 2 v gme. Bernd surrow course material related to this topic. Stack exchange network consists of 176 q a communities including stack overflow the largest most trusted online community for developers to learn share their knowledge and build their careers. 8 01t physics i fall 2004 dr.

The velocity of the satellite is directed tangent to the ellipse. In such cases the central body is located at one of the foci of the ellipse.