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

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1050 km with an orbital period of T = 7 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1050 km · T = 7 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4800 km with an orbital period of T = 8 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 4800 km · T = 8 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4550 km with an orbital period of T = 7 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 4550 km · T = 7 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 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 = 1400 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6300 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 6300 km · T = 9 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 10450 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 = 10450 km · T = 19 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1200 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 = 1200 km · T = 2 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 8250 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 = 8250 km · T = 11 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2600 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 2600 km · T = 13 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3400 km with an orbital period of T = 17 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 3400 km · T = 17 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2250 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 = 2250 km · T = 15 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 500 km with an orbital period of T = 10 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 500 km · T = 10 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

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Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1050 km with an orbital period of T = 7 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1050) ÷ 7 = 6594 ÷ 7 = 942 km/h.
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4800 km with an orbital period of T = 8 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3768 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 4800) ÷ 8 = 30144 ÷ 8 = 3768 km/h.
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4550 km with an orbital period of T = 7 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 × 4550) ÷ 7 = 28574 ÷ 7 = 4082 km/h.
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 km with an orbital period of T = 14 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 × 1400) ÷ 14 = 8792 ÷ 14 = 628 km/h.
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6300 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
4396 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 6300) ÷ 9 = 39564 ÷ 9 = 4396 km/h.
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 10450 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3454 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 10450) ÷ 19 = 65626 ÷ 19 = 3454 km/h.
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1200 km with an orbital period of T = 2 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3768 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1200) ÷ 2 = 7536 ÷ 2 = 3768 km/h.
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 8250 km with an orbital period of T = 11 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 × 8250) ÷ 11 = 51810 ÷ 11 = 4710 km/h.
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2600 km with an orbital period of T = 13 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 × 2600) ÷ 13 = 16328 ÷ 13 = 1256 km/h.
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3400 km with an orbital period of T = 17 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 × 3400) ÷ 17 = 21352 ÷ 17 = 1256 km/h.
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2250 km with an orbital period of T = 15 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2250) ÷ 15 = 14130 ÷ 15 = 942 km/h.
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 500 km with an orbital period of T = 10 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
314 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 500) ÷ 10 = 3140 ÷ 10 = 314 km/h.

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1050 km with an orbital period of T = 7 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 1050 km · T = 7 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4800 km with an orbital period of T = 8 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 4800 km · T = 8 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4550 km with an orbital period of T = 7 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 4550 km · T = 7 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 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 = 1400 km · T = 14 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6300 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 6300 km · T = 9 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 10450 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 = 10450 km · T = 19 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1200 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 = 1200 km · T = 2 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 8250 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 = 8250 km · T = 11 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2600 km with an orbital period of T = 13 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 2600 km · T = 13 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3400 km with an orbital period of T = 17 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 3400 km · T = 17 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2250 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 = 2250 km · T = 15 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 500 km with an orbital period of T = 10 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
Orbit Radius r = 500 km · T = 10 h · Orbital Speed: v = 2πr ÷ T

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Orbital speed of planets & satellites

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1050 km with an orbital period of T = 7 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1050) ÷ 7 = 6594 ÷ 7 = 942 km/h.
2. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4800 km with an orbital period of T = 8 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3768 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 4800) ÷ 8 = 30144 ÷ 8 = 3768 km/h.
3. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 4550 km with an orbital period of T = 7 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 × 4550) ÷ 7 = 28574 ÷ 7 = 4082 km/h.
4. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1400 km with an orbital period of T = 14 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 × 1400) ÷ 14 = 8792 ÷ 14 = 628 km/h.
5. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 6300 km with an orbital period of T = 9 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
4396 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 6300) ÷ 9 = 39564 ÷ 9 = 4396 km/h.
6. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 10450 km with an orbital period of T = 19 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3454 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 10450) ÷ 19 = 65626 ÷ 19 = 3454 km/h.
7. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 1200 km with an orbital period of T = 2 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
3768 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 1200) ÷ 2 = 7536 ÷ 2 = 3768 km/h.
8. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 8250 km with an orbital period of T = 11 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 × 8250) ÷ 11 = 51810 ÷ 11 = 4710 km/h.
9. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2600 km with an orbital period of T = 13 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 × 2600) ÷ 13 = 16328 ÷ 13 = 1256 km/h.
10. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 3400 km with an orbital period of T = 17 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 × 3400) ÷ 17 = 21352 ÷ 17 = 1256 km/h.
11. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 2250 km with an orbital period of T = 15 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
942 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 2250) ÷ 15 = 14130 ÷ 15 = 942 km/h.
12. A satellite orbits in a circular path of radius r = 500 km with an orbital period of T = 10 hours. Using v = 2πr ÷ T with π = 3.14, calculate its orbital speed in km/h.
314 km/h
Orbital speed v = (2 × 3.14 × 500) ÷ 10 = 3140 ÷ 10 = 314 km/h.

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification