Topic Summaries

Orbits and satellites

IGCSE > Physics > CIE > IGCSE Physics Topic Summaries > Space > Orbits and satellites
Previous Module
Next Module

Science skills: Measuring results

  • Planets and satellites are held in orbits by gravitational forces. Satellites experience forces with planets and planets experience forces with the Sun.
  • Satellites can be natural, like a moon, or artificial, like the International Space Station.
  • Gravitational forces keep planets and satellites travelling in circular paths.
  • The speed of an orbiting object is \(\text{speed}=(2\pi\times\text{orbital radius})\div\text{period of orbit}\).
  • If the speed of the orbiting object changes, then its orbital radius must also change. If it doesn’t, then the orbit will become unstable.

Unlock Orbits and satellites

Subscribe to SnapRevise+ to get immediate access to the rest of this resource.

Premium accounts get immediate access to this resource.

Previous Module
Next Module