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Engineers use Kepler's third law to verify that a satellite at 35,786 km altitude will have a 24-hour orbital period. What are they ensuring?


AThe satellite will crash within 24 hours.
BThe satellite will complete multiple orbits each day for continuous coverage.
CThe satellite will match Earth's rotation rate.
DThe satellite will escape Earth's gravity field.

Verified Answer :

Final answer:

Kepler's third law helps engineers confirm that a satellite at 35,786 km will complete an orbit in 24 hours, which allows it to match the Earth's rotation. This synchronization ensures that the satellite can maintain a geostationary position above the Earth. Such verification is crucial for applications requiring continuous coverage over specific areas.


Explanation:

Understanding Kepler's Third Law and Satellite Motion

Engineers refer to Kepler's third law when calculating the motion of satellites, particularly to confirm that a satellite in a geostationary orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km will indeed take 24 hours to complete one full orbit around the Earth. This ensures that the satellite will remain in sync with the Earth's rotation.

Specifically, this orbital period allows the satellite to maintain a position above the same point on the Earth's surface, making it ideal for applications such as television broadcasting and weather monitoring. If the satellite had a different orbital period, it would not match the Earth's rotation, leading to varying coverage of its intended area.

In conclusion, verifying that the satellite will have a 24-hour orbital period is essential for the satellite to effectively provide continuous coverage and to ensure that it remains stable in its designated position.


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