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Why is the motion of satellites around their planets considered an accelerated motion?

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Last updated date: 06th Sep 2024
Total views: 324k
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Answer
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Hint: Satellites revolve around their planets in a circular path. It changes its direction of velocity as it revolves, there are two types of forces acting on any body undergoing a circular motion which are centripetal and centrifugal forces. During the motion the satellite does not change its speed but its velocity changes as the satellite changes its direction. This change has no effect on Speed as speed is a scalar quantity, but velocity is a vector quantity. Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity.

Complete step by step answer:
Satellites travel in roughly circular orbits around their planets at a constant speed. As a result, the speed of their travel remains constant yet the direction of motion varies constantly. Their velocity changes as a result of this. As a result, satellites orbiting around their planets are considered to be in an accelerated motion.

Note:
Satellites move in a circular motion around their planets, and every circular motion is accelerated. When a body rotates or moves in a circular manner, it receives force. This force is directed away from the centre and along the radius of the circular path. For instance, if you sit on a merry-go-round, you will generate outward force. And force is nothing more than mass times acceleration. As a result, any circular motion will always be accelerated. A satellite is a projectile. The force of gravity acts on a satellite, and this force accelerates it towards the planet. A satellite would move in a straight line tangent to the planet if gravity did not exist. A satellite is, in fact, accelerating towards its planet due to gravity.