If the orbital period T doubles while the radius r remains fixed, what happens to velocity v?

Study for the Praxis Physics Exam with interactive questions and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding of physics concepts. Prepare for your exam efficiently!

Multiple Choice

If the orbital period T doubles while the radius r remains fixed, what happens to velocity v?

Explanation:
For circular motion, the speed is the distance traveled per orbit divided by the orbital period: v = (2πr) / T. If the radius r stays fixed and the period T doubles, the numerator stays the same while the denominator doubles, so the velocity is halved. Doubling the time to complete the same path means moving more slowly.

For circular motion, the speed is the distance traveled per orbit divided by the orbital period: v = (2πr) / T. If the radius r stays fixed and the period T doubles, the numerator stays the same while the denominator doubles, so the velocity is halved. Doubling the time to complete the same path means moving more slowly.

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