LAB A16 – ORBITS OF SATELLITES Name : VK
PH4120
1/30/25
Goal: You are an astronomer studying a newly discovered exoplanetary system (a distant star
and the planets that revolve around it). By carefully observing the motion of the planets using an
animation, you will test whether their orbits obey the predictions of Newton’s Law of Universal
Gravitation. You will also use your observations of the planets to determine the mass of the star
they are orbiting. This lab is to be done individually.
Prelab: Derive expressions for the period, speed and acceleration of a satellite in circular motion
around a massive central object (assumed to remain at rest), in terms of the mass of the central
object and radius of the satellite’s orbit.
Procedure:
1. Open the Kepler’s Laws simulation at this link:
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/keplers-laws/latest/keplers-laws_all.html
2. For now, we will investigate orbits of satellites in circular motion around the central massive
object. Click on the “Always Circular” box in the menu on the right. Also check the boxes for
Speed, Grid, Measuring Tape and Stopwatch - those will be your measurement tools.
Method:
1. Click the Play button and observe the motion of the planet around the star. Use your
measurement tools to determine the radius and period of the planet’s motion as accurately
as you can. Describe your method in a few sentences.
2. Use your mouse to drag the planet to a location that is a different distance from the star.
Measure the radius and period of this new planet’s motion. Repeat these measurements
for 5 more planets at different distances from the star. Organize all of your data into a
table with labeled column headings - see example table below. Pay attention to the units
of your data.
3. For each planet, use your measured period and radius to calculate the planet’s speed and
acceleration (show example calculations).
Example Data Table:
R = Radius (m) T = Period (s) v = Speed (m/s) a = Acceleration (m/s2)
Planet 1 7.48*10^10 1.1038*10^7 41800 2*10^-2
Planet 2 1.496*10^11 3.1851*10^7 29790 5.9*10^-3
Planet 3 2.244*10^11 5.8972*10^7 24420 2.6*10^-3
Planet 4 2.992*10^11 9.0193*10^7 21020 1.4*10^-3
Planet 5 3.74*10^11 1.2583*10^8 18810 9.4*10^-4
Planet 6 4.488*10^11 1.6493*10^8 17200 6.5*10^-4
Analysis:
1. T vs. R
Graph:
Math Equation: y = AxB
3
2π
Physics Equation:T = 𝑅2
6𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗
Matching Table:
Math Physics Units Value
y T s
A 2π 6.88*10^-10
6𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗
x R m
B 2/3 N/A
2π
=6.88*10^-10
6𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗
2. v vs. R
Graph:
Math Equation: y = AxB
1
−2
Physics Equation: 𝑣 = 𝐺𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑅
Matching Table:
Math Physics Units Value
y v m/s
A 𝐺𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗 1.00697*10^10
x R m
B -½ N/A
𝐺𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗=1.00697*1010
3. a vs. R
Graph:
Math Equation: y = AxB
−2
Physics Equation:𝑎 = 𝐺𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑅
Matching Table:
Math Physics Units Value
y a m/s^2
A 𝐺𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗 1.54*10^18
x R m
B -2 N/A
𝐺𝑀𝑜𝑏𝑗 = 1.54*10^18
4. For each graph, compare (find % difference between) the expected value of the power n and
the value obtained from your fit to the data:
Expected n for T vs. R graph: 1.5
Actual n: 1.49
% diff: 0.66%
Expected n for v vs. R graph:-0.5
Actual n:-0.49
% diff: 2%
Expected n for a vs. R graph: -2
Actual n: -1.83
% diff: 8.87%
5. For each graph, use the fit value you obtained for the constant C to determine the mass of the
planet. Show all calculations completely (including algebra steps and substitution of numbers
with units). You may assume that the universal gravitation constant G = 6.67 10-11 N m2/kg2 is
given.
Followup questions:
A satellite is in a circular orbit of radius R around a massive object. Compare the period, speed
and acceleration of the satellite’s motion to those of another satellite in a circular orbit of radius
2R around the same massive object (i.e. calculate the ratios T2/T1, v2/v1 and a2/a1). Express your
answers in simplest form.
Conclusion:
The experiment confirmed that planetary orbits agree with the Newton's Law of Universal
Gravitation. The period (T) exhibited an increase with radius, aligning closely with the trend,
yielding an experimental exponent of 1.49, which was only 0.66% off the predicted value. The
velocity (v) demonstrated a decrease with radius, presenting an exponent of -0.49 and a 2%
difference. Likewise, acceleration (a) adhered to the inverse square law, with an exponent of
-1.83 and an 8.87% difference. The masses of the planet were constant with both of the
experiments.
