Satellite Orbit Disruption – Rankers Physics

Planet and Satellite: Practice Problem & Solution

Assertion (A): An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit of the earth. If the gravitational pull suddenly disappears, then it moves with the same speed tangential to the original orbit. Reason (R): The orbital speed of a satellite decreases with the increase in radius of the orbit.  
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Short Solution (Best for NEET):

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Planet and Satellite. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Assertion (A) is true due to inertia (Newton's First Law). Reason (R) is true as orbital speed \(v = \sqrt{GM/r}\) decreases with increasing \(r\).

However, R does not explain A; A is a consequence of inertia, not the relation between orbital speed and radius.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Similar Practice Questions

Explore conceptually related problems to test your knowledge.

1. Two concentric shells have mass \(M\) and \(m\) and their radii are \(R\) and \(r\) respectively, where \(R > r\). What is the gravitational potential at their common centre ?
2. An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit of radius \(r\) around a planet. Total energy of satellite is \(E\). Energy required to move this satellite into a new orbit of radius \(2r\), is
3. Two identical particles of combined mass \(M\), placed in space with certain separation, are released. Interaction between the particles is only of gravitational in nature and there is no external force present. Acceleration of one particle with respect to the other when separation between them is \(R\), has a magnitude :
4. Assertion (A): The mechanical energy of earth-moon system remains same when a heavenly body passes nearby the earth-moon system. Reason (R): Force exerted by heavenly body on the earth-moon system is non-conservative.  
5. Three equal masses of \(3\text{ kg}\) each are fixed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle ABC. The gravitational force acting on mass \(2\text{ kg}\) placed at the centroid of triangle is