Another satellite “Y" of greater mass is also placed into orbit around the earth the same distance “d" above the earth. Satellite "Y" will be greater, less than or equal to speed to "X". Satellite Earth
Let us consider the radius of the earth is and the mass is
Therefore, the radius of the orbit is
Let us consider the satellite "X" has mass and speed
The centripetal acceleration for satellite "X" is
. . . . . (i)
The gravitational force is
. . . . . (ii)
Using Newton's second law
i.e.
Using expression (ii)
. . . . . (iii)
Equating expression (i) and (iii)
i.e. the speed of the satellite is independent of its mass.
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