Physics A-Level
Synchronous orbit
What Synchronous orbit means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Synchronous orbit
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Reference: AQA
An orbit whose orbital period equals the rotation period of the body it orbits, so the satellite returns to the same position in the sky after each rotation.
Topics that use Synchronous orbit
- Orbits of planets and satellites (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Escape velocity
- Geostationary orbit
- Gravitational force as centripetal force
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic, potential and total energy in circular orbits
- Low orbit
- Orbital radius
- Altitude
Using Synchronous orbit in the exam
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