Question Details

If the angular velocity of a planet about its own axis is halved, the distance of geostationary satellite of this planet from the center of the planet will become

Options

A

2⁰.³³³

B

2¹.⁵

C

2⁰.⁶⁶⁷

D

4 times

Correct Answer :

2⁰.⁶⁶⁷

Solution :

The correct answer is 2⁰.⁶⁶⁷ times the original distance.

Let's understand the relation between the orbital radius of a geostationary satellite and the angular velocity of the planet.
A geostationary satellite orbits the planet with an orbital period equal to the rotation period of the planet about its own axis. Thus, the angular velocity of the satellite's orbit (ω) is equal to the angular velocity of the planet's rotation.

For a satellite of mass m orbiting a planet of mass M at a distance r from the center of the planet, the gravitational force provides the necessary centripetal force:
GMmr2=mω2r

Simplifying this equation for the orbital radius r:
r3=GMω2
This gives:
rω-2/3

Let the initial angular velocity be ω1 and the initial distance be r1.
The new angular velocity is halved:
ω2=ω12

Using the proportionality relation, the new distance r2 is given by:
r2r1=ω1ω22/3
Substituting ω2=ω12:
r2r1=ω1ω1/22/3=22/3

Since 230.667, we have:
r2=20.667r1

Therefore, the new distance of the geostationary satellite from the center of the planet will become 2⁰.⁶⁶⁷ times the original distance.

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