The circular velocity of a satellite orbiting Earth is given by . In this equation,
A)M represents the mass of the satellite, and r is its radius.
B)M represents the mass of Earth, and r the radius of Earth.
C)M represents the mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth to the satellite.
D)M represents the mass of Earth, and r the distance from Earth to the satellite.
E)M represents the mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth's surface to the satellite.

Question

The circular velocity of a satellite orbiting Earth is given by  . In this equation,
A)M represents the mass of the satellite, and r is its radius. 
B)M represents the mass of Earth, and r the radius of Earth. 
C)M represents the mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth to the satellite. 
D)M represents the mass of Earth, and r the distance from Earth to the satellite. 
E)M represents the mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth's surface to the satellite.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The circular velocity of a satellite orbiting Earth is given by the equation v = sqrt(GM/r), where G is the gravitational constant. In this equation, M represents the mass of Earth, and r the distance from Earth to the satellite. The circular velocity depends only on the mass of Earth and the distance from Earth to the satellite, not on the mass of the satellite or its radius. Therefore, the best choice is D.

The Circular Velocity of a Satellite Orbiting Earth Is Given