Two satellites of mass 'm' and '2m' are orbiting at same height. Which satellite will have more orbital velocity?

CONCEPT:

• When a satellite revolves around the earth, the satellite gets its centripetal force from the gravitational force.

The gravitational force on body = centripetal force

\(-\frac{mV^2}{R}=-\frac{GMm}{R^2}\)

\(v=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}} \)

where m is the mass of the satellite, M is mass of earth, v is the orbital velocity of the satellite and R is the distance of the satellite from the center of the earth.

• The orbital velocity of the satellite is free from its mass.

EXPLANATION:

The orbital velocity of a satellite is given by

\(v=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{R}} \)

Both the satellites are at the same radius of the orbit.

So both satellites have the same orbital velocity.

Hence the correct answer is option 3.