How can I measure the orbital period of a satellite around Earth?

In order to find the orbital period of a satellite around earth, you must understand the forces at play in this situation. You must equate the two radial forces acting on the satellite - these are Newton's law of gravitational attraction between the satellite and the earth, and the centripetal force acting on the satellite. (You can imagine the centripetal force as the tension in an invisible wire connecting the satellite to the earth as it attempts to move away and is pulled back in as it orbits). By equating these two forces you will be able to cancel down the like-coefficients and be left with the equation of orbital velocity for the Satellite. After this you must realise that the period can be related to the velocity by the speed-distance-time relation, where orbital period is the inverse of orbital time.

AE
Answered by Alexander E. Physics tutor

3795 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the change in temperature of 2kg of water heated by a kettle using a voltage of 230V at 0.5A of current for 10 seconds? Assume no heat losses.


Describe the photoelectric effect and what it tells us about the properties of light .


An electron moving at 1000 m/s annihilates with a stationary positron. What is the frequency of the single photon produced?


a solar cell of area 2m^2 has maximum a power output per unit area of 20W/m^2 . if four solar cells are used together at once, how much energy is release in 2 mins at max power output?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning