A satellite of mass M takes time T to orbit a planet. If the satellite had twice as much mass, the time for it to orbit the planet at the same altitude would be
A) T/4.
B) T.
C) 4T .
D) T/2.
E) 2T.

Question

A satellite of mass  M  takes time  T  to orbit a planet. If the satellite had twice as much mass, the time for it to orbit the planet at the same altitude would be
A)  T/4. 
B)  T.
C)  4T .
D)  T/2. 
E)  2T.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The orbital period of a satellite around a planet depends on the altitude of the orbit and the mass of the planet, not the mass of the satellite. Therefore, doubling the mass of the satellite does not change the orbital period.

A Satellite of Mass M Takes Time