More on Orbits

We have seen that we can send a rocket in an elliptical path towards inner & outer planets using
the Earths rotation & orbital speeds.
These elliptical orbits that result in a craft meeting up with another orbiting body are called
transfer orbits.

We can understand how objects orbit planets by considering the following.

- If we combine the centripetal force equation learnt earlier with Newtons Law of
gravitation we get an expression that connects the velocity of a satellite with the
radius of its orbit.

Gm1m2 mv2
=
2
r
r
Orbital velocity depends on:
(1) radius of orbit
(2) mass of planet
It DOES NOT matter how massive
the satellite it!

Gm
v =
r

Simplifying

Smaller orbital radius requires a

high orbital velocity to be stable.
Larger orbital radius requires a
smaller orbital velocity to be
stable.

Orbital velocity
Orbital velocity is the velocity needed to achieve balance between gravity's pull on the satellite
and the inertia of the satellite's motion -- the satellite's tendency to keep going.

Created / modified by Mr Carr 2/19/2008

Keplers 3rd Law

What was the definition for velocity?

Change in speed per unit time

Remember for uniform circular motion, speed
is constant the only thing changing was the
objects direction.

For our unit of time, we are going to say the time for 1 complete rotation (1 period =T)
So, if speed is constant, we are looking at the change in distance per unit time.
What is the distance around a circle? Circumference (2)
So,

v =

change_ in_distance
time_ for_each_orbit

v =

circumference
1 period

v =

2pr
T

If we now substitute this equation for velocity into our expression relating velocity & radius of
a satellite.

Gm
2pr

=
r
T
By, algebra we can show that there is a relationship between the radius and the period of a
satellite.

Gm
r 3 = 2 T2
4p
Keplers 3rd Law, radius cubed is proportional to the square of the period
Created / modified by Mr Carr 2/19/2008