A student claims that placing a communications satellite slightly farther from Earth…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
A student claims that placing a communications satellite slightly farther from Earth than a geostationary satellite would cause it to drift westward relative to the same point on Earth’s surface. Which of the following best explains whether the student’s claim is correct?
(a) The claim is incorrect because a satellite at a larger orbital radius has a greater tangential speed, allowing it to keep pace with Earth’s rotation.
(b) The claim is correct because a larger orbital radius requires a longer period, so the satellite would lag behind Earth’s rotation.
(c) The claim is correct because the gravitational force on the satellite becomes stronger at larger radii, causing it to orbit faster than Earth rotates.
(d) The claim is incorrect because satellites at any orbital radius share Earth’s 24-h rotational period, so none of them drift relative to the surface.