Question

Asteroid X orbits moon XYZ with a speed of 500 m/s and a centripetal force of 1500N. Asteroids X, Y and Z all have the same mass. If asteroid Y orbits moon XYZ with the same orbital radius as asteroid X but at a speed of 1000 m/s, what is the centripetal force acting on asteroid Y?​

Answer 1

The centripetal force acting on asteroid Y is equal to the centripetal force acting on asteroid X.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the centripetal force acting on asteroid Y, we can use the centripetal force formula:

Fc = (m * v^2) / r

Where Fc is the centripetal force, m is the mass of the asteroid, v is the orbital speed, and r is the orbital radius. Since asteroid Y has the same mass as asteroid X and the same orbital radius, the only difference is the speed. Plugging in the values for asteroid Y, we have:

Fc = (m * (1000 m/s)^2) / r

Therefore, the centripetal force acting on asteroid Y is determined by its speed, and is equal to the centripetal force acting on asteroid X.