Question

Two satellites have circular orbits with the same radius. Which has a higher speed? One satellite has more mass and the other has lesser mass. Answer choices: One with more mass One with less mass They both have the same speed Explanation with the answer, please and thank you. Also, first one to answer gets the "Best Answer." :)

Answer 1

The satellite with more mass will definitely have a higher speed. The correct option among all the options that are given in the question is the first option. Although the satellite having more mass should have a larger mass difference to have a noticeable speed change. Otherwise it would be hard to detect the speed change. Also we know that
orbit speed = proportional to square root[(Mass of Earth + Mass of Satellite)/orbit radius]. This explains the answer. 

Answer 2

They both have the same speed.

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Further explanation

Centripetal Acceleration can be formulated as follows:

$\large {\boxed {a = \frac{ v^2 } { R } }$

a = Centripetal Acceleration ( m/s² )

v = Tangential Speed of Particle ( m/s )

R = Radius of Circular Motion ( m )

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Centripetal Force can be formulated as follows:

$\large {\boxed {F = m \frac{ v^2 } { R } }$

F = Centripetal Force ( m/s² )

m = mass of Particle ( kg )

v = Tangential Speed of Particle ( m/s )

R = Radius of Circular Motion ( m )

Let us now tackle the problem !

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Given:

radius of first satellite = R₁ = R

radius of second satellite = R₂ = R

mass of first satellite = m₁

mass of second satellite = m₂

mass of planet = M

Asked:

Orbital Speed of the satellite = v = ?

Solution:

We will use this following formula to find the orbital speed:

$F = ma$

$G \frac{ Mm}{R^2}=m v^2 \div R$

$G \frac{ M}{R} = v^2$

$\boxed{v = \sqrt{ G \frac{M}{R}}}$

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From information above we could conclude that the orbital speed of the satellite is independent to the mass of satellite. Therefore, they both have the same speed.

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Learn more

• Impacts of Gravity : https://brainly.com/question/5330244
• Effect of Earth’s Gravity on Objects : https://brainly.com/question/8844454
• The Acceleration Due To Gravity : https://brainly.com/question/4189441

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Answer details

Grade: High School

Subject: Physics

Chapter: Circular Motion