Two satellites of masses and ( ) revolve around the Earth in identical circular…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
Two satellites of masses m1 and m2 (m2>m1) revolve around the Earth in identical circular orbits of radius r measured from the Earth’s centre.
(i) State Kepler’s third law of planetary motion.
(ii) Explain why the orbital period of the two satellites is the same even though their masses are different.
(iii) Comment qualitatively on whether the kinetic energies of the two satellites are the same or different. Give reason for your answer.