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If satellite velocity of B is four times the distance of satellite A from the Earth, then the circular satellite B is how many times that of satellite A

a. 1/16
b. 1/4
c. 1/2
d. 2 times
e. 4 times
f. 16 times

User Ostrokach
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The radius of satellite B's orbit will be 1/16 that of satellite A's orbit, given that satellite B's velocity is four times that of satellite A because orbital velocity is inversely proportional to the square root of the orbital radius.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the relationship between a satellite's orbital velocity and its orbital radius. Using the orbital mechanics principle where orbital velocity is inversely proportional to the square root of the radius (V √ R), we can derive that if satellite B's velocity is four times that of satellite A, then the radius of B's orbit (Rb) would be 1/16 that of satellite A (Ra), given that (Vb/Va) = (Ra/Rb)^0.5.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'If satellite velocity of B is four times the distance of satellite A from the Earth, then the circular satellite B is how many times that of satellite A?' is 1/16 times because when the velocity increases by a factor of 4, the radius must decrease by a factor of 4 squared, which is 16.

User Simon Schubert
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