Orbital Motion

Question 1

Which formula can be used to find the tangential speed of an orbiting object?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

v =

Question 2

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Y and Z

Question 3

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

the mass of the space shuttle

Question 4

decreasesincreasescontinuously fluctuatesstays constant

Revolt · Accepted Answer

increases

Question 5

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

inertia

Question 6

Which object would be considered to be in free fall?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

one with only gravity acting upon it

Question 7

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.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

9,608,000 m

Question 8

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

They are falling toward Earth at the same rate as the space shuttle.

Question 9

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

a decrease in the radius and an increase in the tangential speed

Question 10

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

to avoid air resistance

Orbital Motion Answers