Chapter 14, Problem 5A

Does the period of a satellite in a circular orbit increase or decrease as its distance from Earth increases?

To determine

Whether the period of a satellite increase or decrease as its distance from earth increases.

Answer to Problem 5A

Increases

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

According to Kepler’sthird law, the orbital period of satellite is directly related to radius of orbit as:

  $T\propto r^{\frac{3}{2}}$

Where,

  $T=$ Orbital period of the satellite

  $r=$ Orbital radius

As the distance of the satellite increase from the earth, its orbital radius increase and as orbital radius increases, the time period increase too.

Conclusion:

Period of satellite increases as the distance from the earth increase.