Circular Motion Principles for Satellites

The Satellite Motion Principles Video Tutorial explains how fundamental circular motion principles can be applied to understand what a satellite is and what its motion characteristics are.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. What is a satellite?
2. ​How can the velocity, acceleration, and force experienced by a satellite be described?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Minds On Physics, Circular Motion and Gravitation Module, Mission CG8: Satellite Motion
This interactive question mission from our Minds On Physics program will test your understanding (and possibly, your patience). Sick with it, use the Help button, and come out on the other side with a stronger understanding of satellite motion.

Physics Interactives, Orbital Motion Simulation
Often times, the best way to learn is to play. And at our site, that means a trip to our simulation pages at The Physics Interactives section. This simulation allows you to change the eccentricity and view the orbital path and the velocity and force vectors along the path.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter, Circular Motion Principles for Satellites
This tutorial page is as close to the written version of our Tutorial that you can find. It's a great reference when you need one.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner, Circular Motion and Gravitation
Get students active and thinking with our free Think Sheets from the Curriclum Corner section of our website. The following Think Sheet is a good fit to this video (and particularly to the next one ini our series):
Satellite Motion

Teacher Toolkits, Satellite Motion
Try a Teacher Toolkit ... you might be very glad that you did. Each toolkit includes annotated links to vetted resources from across the web that we feel reliably support the specific topic. This one on satellite motion includes resources applicable to a unit or portion of a unit on satellite motion.

Minds On Physics, Circular Motion and Gravitation Module, Mission CG8: Satellite Motion
This interactive question mission from our Minds On Physics program will test students' understanding (and possibly, their patience). If they stick with it, anduse the Help button, they will likely come out on the other side with a stronger understanding of satellite motion.

Physics Interactives, Orbital Motion Simulation
Often times, the best way to learn is to play. And at our site, that means a trip to our simulation pages at The Physics Interactives section. This simulation allows students to change the eccentricity and view the orbital path and the velocity and force vectors along the path. It comes with a classroom-ready, student-friendly activity sheet to use with your lesson.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Circular and Satellite Motion Chapter, Circular Motion Principles for Satellites
This tutorial page is as close to the written version of our Tutorial that you can find. It's a great reference when students need one. Consider placing a link to the page on your course space.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.