What is the motion of satellites and planets?

Satellites revolve around their planets in almost circular orbits with constant speed. Thus, during their motion, the speed remains constant, while the direction of motion changes continuously. As a result, there is a change in their velocity.

What are the forces acting on a satellite?

Acting on the satellite are two forces: gravity, pulling the satellite toward Earth, and this centrifugal force, pushing the satellite away.

Are satellites in perpetual motion?

Orbiting planets are not a perpetual motion system. NOTHING we know of or can explain is a perpetual motion system. Orbiting planets APPEAR to be a perpetual motion system, because the length of time needed for an OBSERVABLE (measurable) state change to occur is enormous (many, many, many, many lifetimes).

How do satellites stay in motion?

The satellite uses the energy it picked up from the rocket to stay in motion. That motion is called momentum. causes the satellite to follow a circular path around Earth: an orbit. When a satellite is in orbit, it has a perfect balance between its momentum and Earth’s gravity.

Why is motion of satellite around planet?

Satellites revolve around their planets in almost circular orbits with constant speed. Thus, during their motion, the speed remains constant, while the direction of motion changes continuously. Therefore, the motion of Satellites around their planets considered an accelerated motion.

What is periodic motion with example?

periodic motion, in physics, motion repeated in equal intervals of time. Periodic motion is performed, for example, by a rocking chair, a bouncing ball, a vibrating tuning fork, a swing in motion, the Earth in its orbit around the Sun, and a water wave.

Why is the motion of satellites around their planets considered an accelerated motion?

Do satellites spin?

Most communications satellites are dual spin satellites. The rotor (plastered with solar arrays) rotates rather quickly for stability while the communications platform rotates but once per day.

Why do satellites remain in orbit?

Satellites are able to orbit around the planet because they are locked into speeds that are fast enough to defeat the downward pull of gravity. A satellite maintains its orbit by balancing two factors: its velocity (the speed it takes to travel in a straight line) and the gravitational pull that Earth has on it.

Do satellites rotate?

Satellites in geostationary orbit rotate with the Earth directly above the equator, continuously staying above the same spot. This position allows satellites to observe weather and other phenomena that vary on short timescales. (NASA images by Marit Jentoft-Nilsen and Robert Simmon.)

Do satellites move?

Most satellites are launched into space on rockets. A satellite orbits Earth when its speed is balanced by the pull of Earth’s gravity. Without this balance, the satellite would fly in a straight line off into space or fall back to Earth. It moves in the same direction and at the same rate Earth is spinning.

Is simple harmonic motion a periodic motion?

As long as the system has no energy loss, the mass continues to oscillate. Thus simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion.