Physics Review Question
Unit: Motion in a Plane
Year: 1997 Question#: 56
Question: In which explanation best represents the path of a satellite in
a geosynchronous orbit?
(1 ) A satellite that revolves around the earth's poles.
(2 ) A satellite that revolves around the earth's equator.
(3 ) A satellite that revolves around the sun outside the orbit
of the earth.
(4 ) A satellite that revolves around the sun inside the orbit of
the earth.
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Jarrett S
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Answer 1
A satellite that revolves around the earth's poles
INCORRECT
Incorrect. The satellite must pass over the same point on the earth, which cannot occur by
moving north to south. The earth will turn underneath the this longitudinal orbit.
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Answer 2
A satellite that revolves around the earth's equator
CORRECT
The only points on the earth for a geosynchronous path are on the equator. The satellite
revolves in synchrony with the rotation of "geo" or earth.
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Answer 3
A satellite that revolves around the sun outside the orbit of the earth
INCORRECT
Incorrect. Such a path would not be geosynchronous, or even geocentric.
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Answer 4
A satellite that revolves around the sun inside the orbit of the earth
INCORRECT
Incorrect. Path of satellite would be around the sun, not the earth. This answer is
nonsensical.
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What's this question really asking?
What does geosynchronous orbit mean?
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