State a difference between the orbit of a moon and the orbit of a comet.
The orbital radius of Zephyr, a moon of a distant gas giant, is 510 000 km510\,000\text{ km}510000 km. It takes 17 days17\text{ days}17 days for Zephyr to complete one full orbit around its host planet. Calculate the orbital speed of Zephyr. Give a suitable unit.
On the surface of this moon, an automated scientific lander launches a small atmospheric sensor. The sensor has a mass of 120 g120\text{ g}120 g and is given 150 J150\text{ J}150 J of kinetic energy at launch.
State the equation linking kinetic energy, mass, and velocity.
Calculate the initial velocity of the sensor.
At its highest point, the sensor had gained 54 J54\text{ J}54 J of gravitational potential energy.
State the kinetic energy of the sensor at this highest point.
State the equation linking gravitational potential energy, mass, gravitational field strength (ggg), and height.
Calculate the maximum height reached by the sensor. (The gravitational field strength on Zephyr is g=1.5 N/kgg = 1.5\text{ N/kg}g=1.5 N/kg)
Suggest why the sensor would travel higher and further on Zephyr than it would if launched with the same energy on Earth.
