The tangential velocity of an Earth satellite is its velocity
A) parallel to the surface of the Earth.
B) attributed to satellites moving in any direction.
C) perpendicular to the surface of the Earth.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tangential velocity of an Earth satellite is the component of its velocity that is parallel to the surface of the Earth, assuming the satellite is in orbit. This contrasts with a radial velocity component, which would be perpendicular to the surface.

The Tangential Velocity of an Earth Satellite Is Its Velocity