What provides the centripetal force on a satellite and what are the factors that determine the size of the centripetal force on the satellite

Centripetal Force = (mv^2)/r 

The centripetal force must always act towards the centre of the circle in which the satellite is travelling. Therefore it is a attractive force from the Earth and hence gravitational attraction that provides the centripetal force. 

From the above equation we can see that the centripetal force relies on three things: 

m = the mass of the satellite 

v = the velocity at which the satellite is travelling 

r = radius of the orbit (the distance between the satellite and the earth) 

So these are the factors affecting the centripetal force. 

NH
Answered by Namita H. Physics tutor

12730 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why is the sky blue?


What is the importance of the resultant force in a free-fall question?


A ball of mass 500g is dropped from rest 2m above the ground. When it reaches the ground it is travelling at 5m/s. How much energy has been dissipated?


A hair dryer uses 2000J in 5 seconds when on full power. The power used is?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning