Satellites

Definition

Satellites are objects that orbit a larger body, such as a planet or a star, due to the force of gravity. They can be natural, like the Moon orbiting the Earth, or artificial, such as the satellites launched by humans to study the Earth, communicate, or explore space.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Satellites are kept in their orbits by the balance between the gravitational force exerted by the larger body and the satellite's inertia.
2. The shape of a satellite's orbit is determined by the initial velocity and direction of the satellite when it is launched, as well as the strength of the gravitational force.
3. Artificial satellites are used for a variety of purposes, such as communication, navigation, weather monitoring, and scientific research.
4. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth, and its gravitational influence on the Earth is responsible for phenomena like tides.
5. Satellites in geosynchronous orbits maintain a constant position relative to a point on the Earth's surface, which is useful for communication and weather monitoring.

Review Questions

• Explain how the gravitational force between a satellite and the larger body it orbits keeps the satellite in its orbit.
  • The gravitational force between a satellite and the larger body it orbits, such as a planet or a star, is the centripetal force that keeps the satellite in its curved orbit. This gravitational force pulls the satellite towards the larger body, constantly changing the direction of the satellite's motion and causing it to follow a circular or elliptical path around the larger body. The balance between the satellite's inertia and the gravitational force is what maintains the satellite's orbit.
• Describe the different types of orbits that satellites can have and how the characteristics of these orbits are determined.
  • Satellites can have a variety of orbits, including circular, elliptical, and geosynchronous orbits. The shape and characteristics of a satellite's orbit are determined by the satellite's initial velocity and direction when it is launched, as well as the strength of the gravitational force exerted by the larger body. For example, a satellite with a higher initial velocity will have a more elongated, elliptical orbit, while a satellite with a lower initial velocity will have a more circular orbit. Satellites in geosynchronous orbits maintain a constant position relative to a point on the Earth's surface, which is useful for communication and weather monitoring applications.
• Analyze the role that satellites play in modern society and the various applications they are used for, including their impact on scientific research and technological advancements.
  • Satellites play a crucial role in modern society, with a wide range of applications that have significantly impacted scientific research and technological advancements. Artificial satellites are used for communication, navigation, weather monitoring, and Earth observation, providing valuable data and infrastructure that supports global connectivity, transportation, and environmental monitoring. Satellites have also enabled new scientific discoveries, such as the study of distant galaxies and the exploration of the Solar System. The launch and operation of satellites have driven technological innovations in fields like materials science, electronics, and aerospace engineering, leading to advancements that have broader societal benefits. The continued development and deployment of satellites will likely play an increasingly important role in addressing global challenges and advancing our understanding of the universe.

Related terms

Orbit: The curved path a satellite takes around a larger body, determined by the balance between the satellite's inertia and the gravitational force exerted by the larger body.

Gravitational Force:

The attractive force between two objects with mass, as described by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which keeps satellites in their orbits.

Centripetal Force:

The force that constantly changes the direction of a satellite's motion, causing it to follow a curved path around the larger body, as opposed to traveling in a straight line.