Free Satellite Motion and Orbital Velocity MCQs with Answers

1. Time taken by a geostationary satellite to complete one rotation around the Earth is

• A. 1 year
• B. 1 day
• C. 1 hr
• D. 84 min

Explanation: A geostationary satellite orbits the Earth once every 24 hours, which is the same time it takes for the Earth to complete one rotation. This ensures that the satellite remains above the same point on the Earth's surface.

2. The Global Positioning System (GPS) consists of how many satellites?

• A. 24 Natural satellites
• B. 4 Natural satellites
• C. 3 Synchronous satellites
• D. both and and b

Explanation: The GPS consists of a constellation of 24 satellites in orbit around the Earth.

3. A satellite moving round the Earth constitutes

• A. An inertial frame of reference
• B. A non-inertial frame of reference
• C. Neither inertial nor non-inertial
• D. both inertial and non inertial

Explanation: A satellite orbiting the Earth is continuously accelerating toward the Earth (centripetal acceleration due to gravity). A frame undergoing acceleration is non-inertial, so the satellite constitutes a non-inertial frame of reference (option B).

4. INTELSAT has the capacity of

• A. 3 channels
• B. 30,000 two-way telephone
• C. 50,000 two-way telephone
• D. both (a) & (b)

Explanation: INTELSAT, or the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, provides various communication services, including telephone, television, and data transmission. It has the capacity for thousands of telephone channels and other communication services.

5. A satellite appears to be at rest when seen from the equator. Its height from the Earth's surface is nearly

• A. 35600 km
• B. 356000 km
• C. Such a satellite cannot exist
• D. 6400 km

Explanation: The satellite appears to be at rest when seen from the equator because it orbits the Earth at the same angular velocity as the Earth's rotation. This type of satellite is called a geostationary satellite. The height of a geostationary satellite from the Earth's surface is approximately 35600 km.

6. Height of closest orbit of earth is

• A. 400m
• B. 40 km
• C. 400 km
• D. 36000 km

Explanation: This is the closest to the average height for Low Earth Orbit (LEO).LEO satellites typically range from an altitude of around 160 km to 2000 km.An average value of 400 km falls within this range and represents the most common altitude for LEO satellites.

7. An artificial satellite orbiting around the earth does not fall down because the attraction of the earth

• A. vanishes at such distances
• B. is balanced by the attraction of the moon
• C. is balanced by the centrifugal force
• D. provides the necessary acceleration for its motion in a curved path

Explanation: An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down because the gravitational force of the Earth provides the necessary centripetal acceleration for the satellite's motion in a curved path. The satellite moves at a constant speed while continuously falling toward the Earth, but its forward motion matches the curvature of the Earth, leading to a stable orbit.

8. Which is constant for a satellite in orbit?

• A. Velocity
• B. K.E
• C. Angular momentum
• D. P.E

Explanation: For a satellite in orbit, the angular momentum (L) is constant.

9. The geostationary satellites are

• A. Stationary W.R.T Earth
• B. Rotating W.R.T Earth
• C. Rotating very fast
• D. Rotating very slow

Explanation: Geostationary satellites appear stationary relative to a fixed point on Earth's surface because they orbit the Earth at the same rate as the Earth's rotation.

10. An artificial satellite of earth releases a packet. If air resistance is neglected, the point where the packet will hit will be?

• A. Behind
• B. Ahead
• C. Exactly below
• D. it will never reach earth

Explanation: Here is the explanation of the correct optionFc = mv2/rThe satellite will move in a circular orbit. When the packet is released it retains the tangential velocity of satellite.The packet will know act as a free falling body it will continue to follow a trajectory determined by initial tangential velocity and gravitational acceleration.The packet retains the horizontal velocity of the satellite upon the release and because no horizontal forces act on it will continue to move horizontally at the same speed as satellite.So it will revolve the earth like the satellite