A scientific research satellite orbits Mars in a circular path.
Explain why the velocity of the satellite is constantly changing, even though it travels at a constant orbital speed.
The table below shows how the total circumference (length) of a satellite's circular orbit varies with its altitude above the Martian surface:
| Altitude above Martian surface (km\text{km}km) | Length of orbit (km\text{km}km) |
|---|---|
| 150 | 22240 |
| 250 | 22870 |
| 350 | 23500 |
| 450 | 24130 |
| 550 | 24760 |
The satellite is positioned in a circular orbit at an altitude of 350 km350\text{ km}350 km and travels at a constant speed of 3.38 km/s3.38\text{ km/s}3.38 km/s.
Calculate the number of complete orbits of Mars this satellite will complete in a period of 40 hours40\text{ hours}40 hours.
19 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Physics 8.1 Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites, covering 8.1.1 Our solar system, 8.1.2 The life cycle of a star, and 8.1.3 Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellites. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.