Question

A satellite is launched into a circular orbit of radius ‘R’ around earth while a second satellite is launched into an orbit of radius 1.02 R. The percentage difference in the time periods of the two satellites is

• A. 0.7
• B. 1.0
• C. 1.5
• D. 3

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

3

Answer 2

Orbital radius of second satellite is 2% more than first

satellite

So from $T \propto (r)^{3/2}$, Percentage increase in time period $= \frac{3}{2}$ (Percentage increase in orbital radius)

$= \frac{3}{2}$ (2%) = 3%.