Question

Does the gravitational force of a satellite changes depending on the orbit it follows

Answer 1

According to Newton's law of gravitation ,there is force of attraction between any two bodies.This force is directly propotional to product of masses and inversely proportional to square of distance between them.The force exerted by one body on the second is exactly equal and opposite to the force exerted by second body on the first.

So in case of satellite revolving around, gravitational force will be inversely proportional to square of distance.i.e as distance increases force will be less.

g_{h =} g (R / R+h )²   

where g_h = acceleration due to gravity at height h g = acceleration due to gravity on earth's surface R = radius of earth ,h = height above earth's surface.

From this we can calculate g_{h .}but if we see the formula and values of R and h.R >>>h.

Hence g_h ~g. So the change in force of attraction will be negligible.but still it decreases by small amount as height increases.