Obtain an equation for the orbital time period of a satellite revolving around the Earth.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The orbital period $(T)$ of a satellite is the time taken to complete one full revolution around the Earth.
The orbital velocity of a satellite at a height $h$ above the Earth's surface is given by:
$v_{0} = \sqrt{\frac{GM_{E}}{R_{E}+h}}$ ... $(1)$
The orbital velocity is also defined as the ratio of the circumference of the orbit to the time period:
$v_{0} = \frac{2\pi(R_{E}+h)}{T}$ ... $(2)$
Equating $(1)$ and $(2)$:
$\sqrt{\frac{GM_{E}}{R_{E}+h}} = \frac{2\pi(R_{E}+h)}{T}$
Rearranging for $T$:
$T = \frac{2\pi(R_{E}+h)}{\sqrt{\frac{GM_{E}}{R_{E}+h}}}$
$T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{(R_{E}+h)^{3}}{GM_{E}}}$ ... $(3)$
Squaring both sides:
$T^{2} = \frac{4\pi^{2}}{GM_{E}}(R_{E}+h)^{3}$ ... $(4)$
Using the relation $g = \frac{GM_{E}}{(R_{E}+h)^{2}}$,we can express the period in terms of acceleration due to gravity $g$ at height $h$:
$T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{R_{E}+h}{g}}$ ... $(5)$
From equation $(4)$,if we let $r = R_{E}+h$,then $T^{2} = Kr^{3}$,where $K = \frac{4\pi^{2}}{GM_{E}}$. This confirms Kepler's third law of planetary motion,$T^{2} \propto r^{3}$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

An artificial satellite is revolving around a planet of radius $R$ in a circular orbit of radius $a$. If the time period of revolution of the satellite $T \propto a^{3/2} g^x R^y$,then the values of $x$ and $y$ are respectively. [Note: $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the planet.]

Which of the following is the evidence to show that there must be a force acting on the earth and directed towards the sun?

Let us assume that our galaxy consists of $2.5 \times 10^{11}$ stars, each of one solar mass. How long will a star at a distance of $50,000 \; ly$ from the galactic centre take to complete one revolution? Take the diameter of the Milky Way to be $10^{5} \; ly$.

The orbital speed of Jupiter is

$A$ satellite of mass $m$ is revolving around the Earth of mass $M$ in an orbit of radius $r$ with constant angular velocity $\omega$. The angular momentum of the satellite is ($G=$ Universal constant of gravitation).

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo