How does the gravitational force acting on a satellite change when it moves to a new circular orbit with a smaller radius?

How does the gravitational force acting on a satellite change when it moves to a new circular orbit with a smaller radius?

• A. It decreases.
• B. It remains constant.
• C. It increases.
• D. It becomes zero.

Answer: (C)

When a satellite moves to a circular orbit with a smaller radius, the gravitational force acting on it increases. This is explained by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the gravitational force (F) between two masses is inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between their centers. The formula for gravitational force is: \[ F = G \left( \frac{m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2} \right) \] where \( G \) is the gravitational constant, \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) are the masses involved, and \( r \) is the distance between the centers of the two masses. As the satellite moves to a lower orbit, the radius \( r \) decreases. Since gravitational force is inversely related to the square of this radius, a smaller radius results in a larger force. Consequently, when the satellite is closer to the Earth (or the celestial body it is orbiting), the gravitational pull it experiences becomes stronger. This fundamental relationship is essential for understanding how satellite orbits work and how they can be affected by altitude changes. Thus, the gravitational force indeed increases when the satellite transitions to a circular orbit with a

When a satellite moves to a circular orbit with a smaller radius, the gravitational force acting on it increases. This is explained by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the gravitational force (F) between two masses is inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between their centers. The formula for gravitational force is:

[ F = G \left( \frac{m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2} \right) ]

where ( G ) is the gravitational constant, ( m_1 ) and ( m_2 ) are the masses involved, and ( r ) is the distance between the centers of the two masses.

As the satellite moves to a lower orbit, the radius ( r ) decreases. Since gravitational force is inversely related to the square of this radius, a smaller radius results in a larger force. Consequently, when the satellite is closer to the Earth (or the celestial body it is orbiting), the gravitational pull it experiences becomes stronger.

This fundamental relationship is essential for understanding how satellite orbits work and how they can be affected by altitude changes. Thus, the gravitational force indeed increases when the satellite transitions to a circular orbit with a