Planet and Satellite - NEET Physics Questions
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Planet and Satellite

Question 11: easy

Two satellites S and S’ revolve around the earth at distances \(3R\) and \(6R\) from the centre of earth. Their periods of revolution will be in the ratio

1. 1 : 2
2. 2 : 1
3. 1 : \(2^{1.5}\)
4. 1 : \(2^{0.67}\)
View Answer

Using Kepler's Third Law, \(T^2 \propto r^3 \Rightarrow \frac{T_1}{T_2} = \left(\frac{r_1}{r_2}\right)^{3/2} = \left(\frac{3R}{6R}\right)^{3/2} = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{1.5} = \frac{1}{2^{1.5}}\). Hence, the ratio is 1 : \(2^{1.5}\).

Question 12: easy

A geostationary satellite has an orbital period of

1. 2 hours
2. 6 hours
3. 12 hours
4. 24 hours
View Answer

A geostationary satellite remains stationary relative to the Earth's surface, meaning its orbital period must equal the rotation period of the Earth, which is 24 hours.

Question 13: easy

For energy of satellite, match the columns (symbols have their respective meaning):

**Column-I**
(i) Kinetic energy
(ii) Potential energy
(iii) Total energy

**Column-II**
(p) \(\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\)
(q) \(-\frac{L^2}{mr^2}\)
(r) \(-\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\)

1. (1) i-q ; ii-p ; iii-r
2. (2) i-p ; ii-r ; iii-q
3. (3) i-p ; ii-q ; iii-r
4. (4) i-r ; ii-q ; iii-p
View Answer

Kinetic energy \(K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\) (since \(L = mvr\)). Potential energy \(U = -\frac{GMm}{r} = -\frac{L^2}{mr^2}\). Total energy \(E = K + U = -\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\). Thus (i)-p, (ii)-q, (iii)-r.

Question 14: easy

Two identical satellites are at height \(R\) and \(7R\) from earth surface, the ratio of their kinetic energies will be :

1. \(2\)
2. \(1\)
3. \(4\)
4. Infinite
View Answer

Kinetic energy of a satellite is \(K = \frac{GMm}{2r}\). Here \(r_1 = R + R = 2R\) and \(r_2 = R + 7R = 8R\). The ratio \(frac{K_1}{K_2} = \frac{r_2}{r_1} = \frac{8R}{2R} = 4\).

Question 15: easy

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.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is false:


An external heavenly body exerts a gravitational force on the Earth-Moon system, causing its mechanical energy to change.


Reason (R) is false: Gravitational force is a conservative force by nature. Therefore, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.

Question 16: easy

Assertion (A): Comets move around the sun in elliptical orbits. The gravitational force on the comet due to sun is not normal to the comet’s velocity but the work done by the gravitation force over every complete orbit of the comet is zero.


Reason (R): Gravitational force is a conservative force.


 

1. (1) Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. (2) Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (3) (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (4) Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Gravitational force is a conservative force. For a conservative force, the work done over a closed path (like a complete elliptical orbit) is zero.


Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Question 17: easy

Assertion (A): Two satellites A and B are in the same orbit around the earth, B being behind A. Satellite B can overtake satellite A by increasing its speed.


Reason (R): Orbital speeds of two satellite in same orbit may different

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is false. For a satellite to remain in a given orbit, its speed must be constant. Increasing speed will cause the satellite to move to a higher orbit or escape. Reason (R) is false. Satellites in the same orbit must have the same orbital speed to maintain that orbit. Therefore, both (A) and (R) are false.

Question 18: easy

Assertion (A): The mechanical energy of earth-moon system remains same when another heavenly body passes nearby the earth-moon system.


Reason (R): Force exerted by heavenly body on the earth-moon system is non-conservative.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is false.


If another heavenly body passes nearby, it exerts an external gravitational force on the earth-moon system. This external force can do work, changing the system's total mechanical energy.


Reason (R) is false. Gravitational force is a conservative force, not non-conservative. Therefore, both (A) and (R) are false.

Question 19: easy

Assertion (A): An astronaut in an orbiting space station above the earth experiences weightlessness.


Reason (R): An object orbiting around the earth under the influence of the earth’s gravitational force is in a state of free fall.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is true.


Astronauts in an orbiting space station experience apparent weightlessness because they, along with the station, are continuously falling towards the Earth.


Reason (R) is true. Orbiting is a continuous state of free fall where the object's tangential velocity prevents it from hitting the Earth. (R) correctly explains (A) because weightlessness is a direct consequence of being in a constant state of free fall.

Question 20: easy

Assertion (A): If the law of gravitation, instead of being inverse square law then planets will still have elliptical orbits.


Reason (R): In that case also, \( T^2 \propto r^3 \) (symbols having usual meanings)


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is false. Only an inverse-square force leads to stable, closed elliptical orbits. An inverse cube law would lead to unstable orbits. Reason (R) is also false. Kepler's third law, \( T^2 propto r^3 \), is a direct consequence of the inverse-square law. If the law changes, this relation no longer holds. Therefore, both (A) and (R) are false.