Mon Prof Augmenté
Satellites Around Earth
Age 17 · Science
Satellites and planets move under gravity, which keeps them on curved orbits. Their distance from the central body sets how long one full revolution takes.
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In the picture
- Earth: the central body whose gravity holds nearby paths
- A close-orbit satellite: it completes one revolution in a short time
- A satellite over the equator: it stays above one ocean spot as Earth turns
- The Moon: a natural body on a distant orbit around Earth
Examples
- A satellite TV dish points at a fixed satellite in the sky.
- The Moon takes about a month to complete one orbit around Earth.
Key takeaways
- An orbit farther from the central body has a longer period.
- A geostationary satellite orbits above the equator and matches Earth’s rotation.
Quiz: Satellites Around Earth (Age 17)
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What keeps satellites and planets on curved orbits?
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If one satellite orbits farther from Earth than another, how does its period compare?
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Which statement describes a geostationary satellite?
The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.
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