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ScienceAges 13-15

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Use the O Level Space Physics orbital speed equation v = 2πr ÷ T to calculate the speed of an orbiting satellite or planet. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

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  1. 1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3800 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 3800 km · T = 19 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  2. 2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2600 km with an orbital period of T = 4 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 2600 km · T = 4 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  3. 3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2200 km with an orbital period of T = 11 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 2200 km · T = 11 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  4. 4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 200 km with an orbital period of T = 2 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 200 km · T = 2 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  5. 5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4900 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 4900 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  6. 6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3000 km with an orbital period of T = 15 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 3000 km · T = 15 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  7. 7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 5600 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 5600 km · T = 16 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  8. 8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 9000 km with an orbital period of T = 12 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 9000 km · T = 12 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  9. 9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 5400 km with an orbital period of T = 18 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 5400 km · T = 18 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  10. 10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 7000 km with an orbital period of T = 20 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 7000 km · T = 20 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  11. 11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6300 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 6300 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
  12. 12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 11250 km with an orbital period of T = 15 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    Orbit Radius r = 11250 km · T = 15 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
12 questions · Seed 104730 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3800 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    1256 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 3800) ÷ 19 = 23864 ÷ 19 = 1256 km/h.

  2. 2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2600 km with an orbital period of T = 4 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    4082 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2600) ÷ 4 = 16328 ÷ 4 = 4082 km/h.

  3. 3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2200 km with an orbital period of T = 11 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    1256 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2200) ÷ 11 = 13816 ÷ 11 = 1256 km/h.

  4. 4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 200 km with an orbital period of T = 2 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    628 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 200) ÷ 2 = 1256 ÷ 2 = 628 km/h.

  5. 5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4900 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    2198 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 4900) ÷ 14 = 30772 ÷ 14 = 2198 km/h.

  6. 6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3000 km with an orbital period of T = 15 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    1256 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 3000) ÷ 15 = 18840 ÷ 15 = 1256 km/h.

  7. 7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 5600 km with an orbital period of T = 16 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    2198 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 5600) ÷ 16 = 35168 ÷ 16 = 2198 km/h.

  8. 8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 9000 km with an orbital period of T = 12 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    4710 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 9000) ÷ 12 = 56520 ÷ 12 = 4710 km/h.

  9. 9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 5400 km with an orbital period of T = 18 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    1884 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 5400) ÷ 18 = 33912 ÷ 18 = 1884 km/h.

  10. 10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 7000 km with an orbital period of T = 20 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    2198 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 7000) ÷ 20 = 43960 ÷ 20 = 2198 km/h.

  11. 11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6300 km with an orbital period of T = 14 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    2826 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 6300) ÷ 14 = 39564 ÷ 14 = 2826 km/h.

  12. 12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 11250 km with an orbital period of T = 15 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.

    4710 km/h

    Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 11250) ÷ 15 = 70650 ÷ 15 = 4710 km/h.

12 questions · Seed 104730 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification