Fields lesson 4
OUTCOME
By the end of the lesson you will apply recognize the the gravitational field strength about a body drops to the square of the radius and use conservation of energy to examine the work done when satellites move between orbits.
To place an object in orbit requires altitude and tangential velocity. It requires a balance between gravity and velocity.
LEARNING TASKS
Explain
Explore and Elaborate
Evaluate
Qs 19 - 23
1. Why do closer satellites have to travel faster to maintain orbit?
1. At what altitude would a satellite be if it was travelling at 28,000 km/h?
2. The ISS orbits at 400 km above the Earth's surface. What speed must it maintain to achieve this?
2. What causes orbital decay? How is it overcome?
3. Describe the energies involved in putting a satellite into orbit
1. What is the total energy of a Satellite?
1. What tangential and radial speeds are required to launch a cannon ball into space?
2. Can you dock with the space station?