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8 Space physics

8 Space physics

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Question 1

Table 1 shows telemetry data for four newly deployed artificial satellites orbiting Mars.

SatelliteMean distance from Mars' centre (km\text{km}km)Time taken for one orbit (hours\text{hours}hours)
Satellite Alpha6 0006\,00060004.54.54.5
Satellite Beta12 00012\,0001200012.712.712.7
Satellite Gamma18 00018\,0001800023.423.423.4
Satellite Delta24 00024\,0002400036.036.036.0
a.

Describe the relationship between the satellite's mean distance from Mars' centre and the time taken for one orbit.

[1]
b.

Calculate the orbital speed of Satellite Beta in km/h\text{km/h}km/h. Use the equation:

orbital speed=2π×mean distancetime taken for one orbit \text{orbital speed} = \frac{2\pi \times \text{mean distance}}{\text{time taken for one orbit}} orbital speed=time taken for one orbit2π×mean distance​

Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

[3]
Markscheme

8 Space physics Questions

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