A satellite describes an elliptical orbit about a planet. The satellite travels much faster when it is directly over a
A) great plain or plateau.
B) large island.
C) high mountain range.
D) large ocean.
E) None of the above choices affects its speed very much.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of a satellite in orbit is determined by its altitude and the gravitational pull of the planet, not by the surface features over which it passes.

A Satellite Describes an Elliptical Orbit About a Planet