IB skill practice

Analyse circular motion in gravitational fields

Paper 1, Paper 2 5 marks Difficulty 3

Orbital speed

In a second version of the same physics investigation, a satellite in a satellite tracking model orbits a planet of mass \(5.9\times10^{24}\,\text{kg}\) at radius \(7\times10^{6}\,\text{m}\). Calculate the orbital speed. Use the diagram first, then calculate the requested value. Enter the numerical result and choose the interpretation that matches the physics meaning.

Worked practice: physics data and result

Read the physical quantities first, then calculate the result and state what it means.