AnswersWV-Earth and Space Science A-CROrbital Motion

Orbital Motion Answers

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1
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What is the only force acting on an object orbiting Earth?

A
air resistance
B
friction
C
inertia
D
gravity
2
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A group of scientists is trying to launch an object into orbit, and the object is traveling at 6500 m/s. Which best explains why the object will not successfully orbit Earth?

A
There is not enough air resistance to keep the object moving.
B
There is not enough friction to keep the object moving.
C
The object is not traveling fast enough to match Earth’s curvature.
D
The object is traveling too fast to match Earth’s curvature.
3

Which best explains why astronauts appear weightless when they are in a space shuttle orbiting Earth?

A
They are falling toward Earth at the same rate as the space shuttle.
B
They are falling toward Earth at a faster rate than the space shuttle.
C
They are too far from Earth to experience gravity.
D
They are too far from Earth to experience air resistance.
4

Enrique is given information about a satellite orbiting Earth.r = 3.8 × 108 mT = 18 days

A
convert the radius to kilometers
B
convert the orbital period to seconds
C
find the square root of the radius
D
find the square root of the orbital period
5

What causes a satellite to move tangentially to a circular path?

A
air resistance
B
friction
C
inertia
D
gravity
6

Once an object enters orbit, what keeps the object moving sideways?

A
inertia
B
gravity
C
centripetal force
D
air resistance
7

Why are satellites placed into orbit at least 150 km above Earth’s surface?

A
to avoid air resistance
B
to match Earth’s curvature
C
to create inertia
D
to increase friction
9

Lexy used the formula shown to calculate the force of gravity on a space shuttle.Fg = G

Question illustration
A
the difference between Earth’s mass and the space shuttle’s mass
B
the sum of Earth’s mass and the space shuttle’s mass
C
the mass of Earth
D
the mass of the space shuttle
10

Which best explains why a satellite accelerates?

A
It is always changing direction.
B
It is constantly slowed by gravity.
C
It does not have forces acting on it.
D
It is weightless when it is in orbit.
11

Hannah has information about an object in circular orbit around Earth. mEarth = 6.0 × 1024 kgG = 6.67 × 10–11 rearth=6.0 x 106 m

Question illustration
A
the mass of the orbiting object
B
the distance of the orbiting object to Earth
C
the orbital period of Earth
D
the radius of Earth
12

Two satellites, X and Y, are orbiting Earth. Satellite X is1.2 × 106 m from Earth, and Satellite Y is 1.9 × 105 m from Earth.

A
Satellite X has a greater period and a faster tangential speed than Satellite Y.
B
Satellite X has a greater period and a slower tangential speed than Satellite Y.
C
Satellite X has a shorter period and a faster tangential speed than Satellite Y.
D
Satellite X has a shorter period and a slower tangential speed than Satellite Y.
13

How high above Earth is a satellite orbiting if its tangential velocity is 5000 m/s? Earth’s mass is kg and its radius is m.

Question illustration
A
1,500,000 m
B
2,240,000 m
C
9,608,000 m
D
16,008,000 m
14

The chart shows the speeds at which four objects are launched into the air.

Question illustration
A
W and Y
B
X and Y
C
Y and Z
D
W and Z
15

Brendan drew a diagram to illustrate the centripetal force acting on a satellite.

Question illustration
A
Draw the Fg = Fc vector so it points at a 45° angle from the v vector.
B
Change the Fg = Fc vector label so it reads Fa = Fc.
C
Draw the Fg = Fc vector so it is longer than the v vector.
D
Change the Fg = Fc vector so it is perpendicular to the v vector.
16

Which would cause the greatest increase in the acceleration of a satellite?

A
a decrease in the radius and the tangential speed
B
an increase in the radius and the tangential speed
C
a decrease in the radius and an increase in the tangential speed
D
an increase in the radius and a decrease in the tangential speed

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