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Calculating Orbits Using Data

Remember the approximate radius of Earth is about 6,371 kilometers (or 3,959 miles) and to use relevant formulas, such as the formula for orbital speed $(v = \frac{2 \pi r}{T})$, where v is the orbital speed, r is the orbital radius, and T is the period. Also, the orbital circumference is $(C = 2 \pi r)$.

Q1

A satellite orbits Earth at an altitude of 500 km above the surface. Calculate the satellite's orbital radius.

Q2

The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 420 km. Find the ISS's orbital radius.

Q3

A planet has an orbital radius of $2.5 \times 10^8$ meters from its star. Calculate the planet's orbital circumference.

Q4

An artificial satellite orbits a planet at a speed of 10,000 m/s with an orbital radius of $7 \times 10^6$ meters. Calculate the satellite's period.

Q5

A moon orbits its planet with a period of 27 days. Determine the moon's orbital speed if its orbital radius is 300,000 km.

Q6

A spacecraft orbits a star with an orbital speed of 30 km/s and an orbital radius of $1.2 \times 10^9$ meters. Calculate the spacecraft's period.

Q7

A comet orbits the Sun with a period of 75 years. Determine the comet's average orbital speed if its orbital radius is $6.5 \times 10^{12}$ meters.

Q9

A planet orbits its star at an average speed of 20,000 m/s and has an orbital radius of $3 \times 10^9$ meters. Calculate the planet's period.

Q10

A moon orbits its planet with a period of 12 days. Determine the moon's average orbital speed if its orbital radius is 200,000 km.

Q11

An artificial satellite orbits Earth at an orbital speed of 8 km/s. Calculate the satellite's orbital radius if its period is 90 minutes.

Q12

A spacecraft orbits a star with an average orbital speed of 40 km/s and has an orbital radius of $2.5 \times 10^8$ meters. Calculate the spacecraft's period.

  • Q1

    $6.87 \times 10^6 $ m

    Q2

    $6.79 \times 10^6 $ m

    Q3

    $1.6 \times 10^9 $ m

    Q4

    $4.4 \times 10^3 $ s

    Q5

    128.6 m/s

    Q6

    $2.5 \times 10^5 $ s

    Q7

    $1.7 \times 10^4 $ m/s

    Q8

    $9.4 \times 10^5 $ s

    Q9

    1212 m/s

    Q10

    $6.9 \times 10^6 $ m

    Q11

    $3.9 \times 10^4 $ s