What effect does gravity have on satellites?
Even when satellites are thousands of miles away, Earth’s gravity still tugs on them. Gravity—combined with the satellite’s momentum from its launch into space—cause the satellite to go into orbit above Earth, instead of falling back down to the ground.
Does gravity do work on a satellite orbiting the earth?
The force of gravity does no work on a satellite in circular orbit since the force is always perpendicular to the planet’s direction of motion. As the satellite moves toward the Sun, the gravitational force does positive work, and the satellite speeds up (GPE converting to KE).
Why do satellites not collide with each other?
The aerodynamic drag on small satellites in Low Earth orbit can be used to change orbits slightly to avoid debris collisions by changing the surface area exposed to atmospheric drag, alternating between low-drag and high-drag configurations to control deceleration.
Do satellites lose momentum?
Artificial and natural satellites rely on this law to stay above the clouds. Since there is no air resistance in space, once a body gets moving, there’s virtually nothing to slow it down. It doesn’t lose kinetic energy (momentum), so it can keep moving forever.
How does gravity affect planetary motion?
Are the objects in the solar system still or are they in motion? The Sun’s gravity pulls the planets in orbit around it, and some planets pull moons in orbit around them. The closer the planet is to the Sun, the greater the pull of the Sun’s gravity, and the faster the planet orbits.
How does gravity affect the movement of objects?
When objects fall to the ground, gravity causes them to accelerate. Acceleration is a change in velocity, and velocity, in turn, is a measure of the speed and direction of motion. Gravity causes an object to fall toward the ground at a faster and faster velocity the longer the object falls.