Orbital Motion and Gravity | GCSE Physics Practice
Gravity provides the force that allows planets and satellites to maintain their circular or elliptical orbits.
Does a satellite need more speed to orbit closer or further from a planet?
What is Orbital Motion and Gravity | Practice?
"The motion of an object around a point, especially the path of a celestial body or an artificial satellite in a gravity field."
Orbital Mechanics
Gravity acts as a centripetal force, pulling objects towards the center.
For a stable orbit, the radius must change if the speed changes.
Closer orbits require higher speeds to prevent crashing.
Velocity changes even in a circular orbit because the direction is changing.
Vector Fact: In a circular orbit, speed is constant but VELOCITY is changing (because direction is always changing).
Want to improve faster?
The fastest way to improve your grade is to practise exam-style questions, identify your gaps, and focus only on what you don't know.