In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation. There are a few concepts with regards to a satellite orbiting the earth.
Key concept: A geostationary satellite orbits the earth with a velocity of 3.07km/s. However, its direction is constantly changing, as seen in the diagram below. (The direction of velocity is tangential to its circular path.) According to Newton's Second Law, the satellite is accelerating because it experiences a net force acting on it, and also because its velocity is changing. The direction of the satellite's acceleration is not tangential to the circular motion, but rather perpendicular to its velocity/towards the centre of the earth. This acceleration is a result of earth's gravitational force on the satellite. The acceleration is also known as centripetal acceleration. It is also useful to know that the force of gravity provides the necessary centripetal force for a stable orbit. |