Satellite A has twice the mass of satellite B,and moves at the same orbital distance from Earth as satellite B.Compare the speeds of the two satellites.
A)The speed of B is twice the speed of A.
B)The speed of B is one-half the speed of A.
C)The speed of B is one-fourth the speed of A.
D)The speed of B is equal to the speed of A.
E)The speed of B is four times the speed of A.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The orbital speed of a satellite is determined by the gravitational pull of the Earth and its distance from the Earth, not by its own mass. Therefore, if two satellites are at the same orbital distance from Earth, they will have the same speed regardless of their masses.

Satellite a Has Twice the Mass of Satellite B,and Moves