Newton's law (1 Viewer)

[elizabethy]

I don't really know what exactly to write 4 this dot pt.:

discuss the importance of Newton's law of universal gravitation in helping to understand and calculate the motion of satellites.

ne suggestions plzzz asap

 

[Numero Uno]

In the motion of satellites, the force of gravity from the central body (Earth) works as the centripetal force holding the satellite in orbit. From this, we can calculate the orbital velocity and orbital period of a satellite.

 

[Helstar87]

For this dot point it's helpful if your aiming for band 6 to be able to derive the formula for the orbital velocity of a satellite where;

∑F = Fw = Fc
Fw = Gm(object)m(planet)
÷ r squared
Fc = m(object)xvelocity squared
÷ r
The mass of the objects then cancel out
Therefore;
v squared =
Gmc
÷ r
hence v =
√Gmc
÷ r
This equation gives the orbital velocity of a satellite

- The orbital velocity is independant of the mass of the satellite
- This formula is true for any object orbiting around a central mass
- A satellite in orbit is freefalling therefore it will have 0 'g forces' acting upon it and is apparently 'weightless'

Hope that helps, If you don't get the derivation of the formula don't worry, you don't really need it plus it's probably a bit too hard to understand when types out like that