Chapter 7, Problem 56A

To determine

The factor that provides the force that causes the centripetal acceleration of a satellite in orbit.

Answer to Problem 56A

Gravitational force of attraction provides the required centripetal acceleration of a satellite in orbit.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Gravitational force:

  $F=\frac{G{m}_1{m}_2}{r^2}$

Where $G$ is the gravitational constant, $m_1$ and $m_2$ are the masses, and $r$ is the distance between the masses.

Suppose a satellite of mass m is orbiting around a planet of mass M , then the attractive force will act between the satellite and the planet,called gravitational force, due to their masses. This force, acting along the orbital radius towards the masses, provides the centripetal acceleration needed to keep the satellite in orbit.

Conclusion:

Thus, the gravitational attractive force acting between the satellite and the planet provides the centripetal acceleration to the satellite.