Physics GCSE
stable orbits
What stable orbits means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definition of stable orbits
Check what you remember
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Reference: AQA
Gravity is stronger closer in, so a satellite in a low orbit has to travel faster to stay there, and if the speed increases the radius must decrease.
Topics that use stable orbits
Related terms
- artificial satellites
- constant speed with changing velocity
- gravitational force
- gravity acting towards the centre
- planets
- what each object orbits
- at right angles to the motion
- circular orbit
Using stable orbits in the exam
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