2024TrialShort answer

Q21 (a)

2 marks

Question

Artificial satellites monitor weather conditions on Earth and are used for surveillance and communications. Such satellites may be placed in a geostationary orbit.

(a) Identify TWO features of a geostationary orbit.

Try the question before revealing the answer.

Solution

Orbits westwards over the equator and maintain a fixed position relative to the surface of Earth.
Period is 24 hours.

Criteria

Criteria	Marks
Any two relevant properties of the geostationary orbit	2
One property of the geostationary orbit	1

Supplied marking guidance · human reviewed

Compare this with your working, not only your final sentence.

Syllabus alignment

Module 5 · Advanced Mechanics

Motion in Gravitational FieldsPredict orbital speed, period, radius and acceleration for planets and satellites, including geostationary orbits.

Spot a problem? Send feedback