The circular velocity of a satellite orbiting Earth is given by $v _ { e } = \sqrt { \frac { G M } { r } }$ . In this equation, M represents the ____.
A) mass of the satellite, and r its radius
B) mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth to the satellite
C) mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth's surface to the satellite
D) mass of Earth, and r the radius of Earth
E) mass of Earth, and r is the distance from Earth to the satellite

Question

The circular velocity of a satellite orbiting Earth is given by $v _ { e } = \sqrt { \frac { G M } { r } }$ .  In this equation, M represents the ____.
A) mass of the satellite, and r its radius
B) mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth to the satellite
C) mass of the satellite, and r the distance from Earth's surface to the satellite
D) mass of Earth, and r the radius of Earth
E) mass of Earth, and r  is the distance from Earth to the satellite

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the formula for circular velocity, $M$ represents the mass of Earth, and $r$ is the distance from the center of Earth to the satellite.

The Circular Velocity of a Satellite Orbiting Earth Is Given ve=GMrv _ { e } = \sqrt { \frac { G M } { r } }ve​=rGM​​

The Circular Velocity of a Satellite Orbiting Earth Is Given $v _ { e } = \sqrt { \frac { G M } { r } }$