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Centripetal force comes from the movement of the object, or by gravity, but where does centrifugal force come from in satellite motion?

2007-02-20 11:47:49 · 3 answers · asked by thyplo101 2 in Science & Mathematics Physics

3 answers

There is no such thing as “centrifugal” force. The force you are (and did, once, in the additional details field) referring to is “centripetal” force.

Centripetal force is responsible for an object’s circular motion.
At any instant in time, the velocity of an object is pointed tangent to the circle even though the object keeps moving around the circle. In order for this to occur, the velocity vector must constant be changing, and thus an acceleration is needed (even though the object’s speed might be constant). The direction of the force needed is inward toward the axis of rotation.

When talking about a satellite in a circular orbit around the Earth, gravity is providing its centripetal force. Gravity exerts a force which pulls the satellite inward towards the axis of rotation (towards the center of the Earth’s mass). When the object is in equilibrium, the gravitational force equals the centripetal force.
F_g = F_c
G * M * m / r^2 = m * v^2 / r
Masses (m) cancel and we are left with the gravitational acceleration equaling the centripetal acceleration.

No force is caused by the object’s movement around the circular path. A force, however, is required in order for this to occur.
The object experiences circular motion due to the force…the force is not due to the circular motion.

For a given speed around the circular path, a specific radius of rotation can be found.
r = G * M / v^2
Where G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Earth, and v is the speed of rotation.

2007-02-20 12:08:25 · answer #1 · answered by mrjeffy321 7 · 0 0

A satellite stays in orbits due to gravity. The interesting part is that the velocity of the satellite depends on the distance of that satellite from the center of the planet. The satellite experiences radial acceleration that is always directed towards the center of the planet it orbits. The further the satellite is, the slower its velocity. The speed must be kept constant for it to stay in the same orbit.

2007-02-20 12:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

definite there is centripetal tension in each and every physique of those situations. satellites: they could direction via firing up its vehicles/engines Stone: while the string is cut back, the stone flies radially by using fact the inertia brought about via its action has a tendency to pass it for the duration of the comparable course, So it flies tangentially

2016-12-17 14:56:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

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