Q. A satellite in a circular orbit of radius $R$ has a period of 4 h. Another satellite with orbital radius $3R$ around the same planet will have a period (in hour)

A) 16
B) 4
C) $4\sqrt{27}$
D) $4\sqrt{8}$
Explanation

(c) According to Kepler’s third law
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ T^{2} \propto R^{3}$
$\Longrightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \frac{T_{2}}{T_{1}} = \left( \frac{R_{2}}{R_{1}} \right)^{3/2}$
$\therefore\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \frac{T_{2}}{T_{1}} = \left( \frac{3R}{R} \right)^{3/2}$
$\Longrightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \frac{T_{2}}{T_{1}} = \sqrt{27}$
$\therefore\ \ \ T_{2} = \sqrt{27}T_{1} = \sqrt{27} \times 4 = 4\sqrt{27}h$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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