Question

The time period of an earth-satellite in circular orbit is independent of

• A. The mass of satellite
• B. Radius of the orbit
• C. None of them
• D. Both of them

Answer 1

The correct option is A

The mass of satellite

Concept of Gravitation

The time period of the satellite is given by $T=2\mathrm{\pi }\sqrt{\frac{{\mathrm{R}}^3}{\mathrm{GM}}}$
Here, G is the gravitational constant, R is the orbital radius, and M is the mass of the earth.
Therefore, the time period is independent of the mass of the satellite.

Therefore the right answer is an option (a) the mass of the satellite.