In: Physics
Explain all the forces on a satellite going around the Earth
When a satellite is going around the earth, it experiences several forces namely, gravitational force, centripetal force, atmospheric drag, solar radiation pressure, force due to non spheric earth and gravitational forces from other heavenly bodies.
Centripetal force : When an object is an circular motion and can be ellipitical too, it experiences outward acceleration which result in centripetal force.
Gravitational force : force due to gravity, which directly depends on the product of mass of both bodies and follows inverse square relation.
Atmospheric drag : Satellite also experience force due to atmospheric drag which is equal to .
Solar radiation pressure: It depends upon the reflectivity of satellite as well as radiation pressure of the sun.
Force due to non spheric earth will tend to decrease the inclination of the satellite and it will come closer to equator as equator has more mass accumulated.