Question

A satellite is orbiting the earth in an elliptical path which of the following does not impact the velocity of the satellite

Answer 1

In the context of a satellite in an elliptical orbit around the Earth, several factors influence the satellite's velocity. These include:

1. **Gravitational Force**: The gravitational pull of Earth is the primary force affecting the velocity of the satellite.
2. **Distance from Earth**: The satellite's velocity varies at different points in its orbit; it is faster when closer to Earth (perigee) and slower when farther away (apogee).
3. **Orbital Characteristics**: The shape of the orbit (eccentricity) and the semi-major axis also affect the satellite's velocity.

However, certain factors do not impact the velocity of the satellite directly. The following are examples of such factors:

- **Atmospheric Drag**: In low Earth orbit, atmospheric drag can affect the satellite's velocity, but in a vacuum or at higher altitudes, it becomes negligible.
- **Mass of the Satellite**: The mass of the satellite itself does not affect the orbital velocity; the gravitational force acts on both the Earth and the satellite proportionally to their masses, as encapsulated in Newton's law of universal gravitation.

If you are seeking a specific answer about what does not impact the velocity, the **mass of the satellite** would be the best example.