Chapter 7, Problem 84A

To determine

The change in the shuttle’s period if the space shuttlegoes into a higher orbit.

Answer to Problem 84A

The time period of the space shuttle will increase.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Period of the satellite orbiting the Earth can be obtained by:

  $T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{r^3}{G{m}_E}}$

Where, $G$ is the gravitational constant, $r$ is the orbital radius, and $m_E$ is the mass of the Earth.

The time period of a satellite or any space shuttle is directly proportional to the radius of its orbit. Hence, if the radius of the space shuttle’s orbit increases, that is, it goes into a higher orbit, then its time period will also increase.

Conclusion:

Thus, the time period of the space shuttle will increase when it moves to a higher orbit.