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Q.What is orbital velocity ? Obtain an expression for it.

Andhra Pradesh BieapBIEAP Intermediate Board (1st Year) 2018Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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Orbital velocity is the speed needed for a satellite to stay in a circular orbit; v_o = sqrt(G M / (R + h)), and near the surface v_o = sqrt(g R).

Definition: Orbital velocity is the velocity required to put a satellite into a given stable circular orbit around a planet, i.e. the horizontal speed at which the gravitational pull exactly provides the centripetal force needed for circular motion.

Derivation:

Let a satellite of mass m revolve around a planet of mass M and radius R, in a circular orbit at height h above the surface. The radius of the orbit is r = R + h, and let v_o be the orbital velocity.

The gravitational force between the planet and satellite provides the necessary centripetal force:

Gravitational force = G M m / (R + h)^2

Required centripetal force = m v_o^2 / (R + h)

Equating the two:

m v_o^2 / (R + h) = G M m / (R + h)^2

Cancelling m and simplifying:

v_o^2 = G M / (R + h)

Therefore:

v_o = sqrt(G M / (R + h))

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