Space Flashcards
WHAT IS A PROJECTILE
Something that moves under the influence of gravity.
- A football kicked through the air.
- Satellite orbiting earth.
WHY DOES A PROJECTILE FOLLOW A CURVED PATH
Horizontally, the projectile is not affected by gravity and moves at a constant velocity.
Vertically the projectile is at a constant acceleration due to gravity.
The two motions combined give a curve.
HOW DO THE PROJECTILE FORMULAS WORK
(H) constant velocity - Vh = s/t
Vh = horizontal velocity
s = displacement (distance) travelled by projectile
t = time taken to fall
(V) Accelerates due to gravity - Vv = Uv + at
Uv = initial vertical velocity
Vv = final vertical velocity
a = acceleration due to gravity (9.8ms^-2 on earth)
WHAT TYPE OF GRAPH CAN HELP US WITH PROJECTILES
Velocity time graph
WHAT IS A SATELITE (ARTIFICAL AND NATURAL)
Anything that orbits another body (eg earth).
Natural satellite - the moon around the earth.
Artificial satellites - Satelite machines to orbit another body in space.
HOW DOES A SATELLITE STAY IN ORBIT
Isaac Newtons thought experiment.
Satellites stay in orbit because they are “falling round” the earth. The curve of the satellites fall matches the curve of the earth.
WHY IS THE SATELLITE A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOJECTILE
The satellites horizontal velocity stays constant as it orbits the earth. The weight of the satellite provides a force which makes it accelerate towards the centre of the earth. If the horizontal velocity is high enough, then the curve of the fall matches the curve of the earth.
WHAT IS A SATELLITE ORBIT
The time taken for a satellite to complete one orbit is called the period.
The period depends on the altitude of the satellites orbit.
THE GREATER THE ALTITUDE OF THE ORBIT, THE GREATER THE PERIOD OF THE SATELLITE.
WHAT IS A GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE
If a satellite orbits at the right altitude, It will have a period of 24 hours - The same time it takes the earth to turn once. This means the satellite will stay above the same point on the earth at all times. It is useful as we can communicate with the satellite at all times.
PURPOSES OF A SATELITE
GPs, weather forecasting, communications, scientific discovery, space exploration
THREE FAMOUS SATELLITES
- Hubble space telescope
- MetOp
- Echostar 23
HOW DOES A ROCKET TAKE OFF
Two forces acting on it - It’s weight downwards and the thrust of the rocket engines upwards, if the thrust is bigger than the weigh, there will be an unbalanced force upwards.
Newton’s second law tells us that, if there is an unbalanced force, the rocket will accelerate.
ROCKET TAKING OFF ON DIFFERENT PLANETS EXPLANATION
Easier in places where the gravitational field strength is lower.
HOW DOES A ROCKET MOVE IN SPACE
Newtons 3d law
The rocket engines apply a force to the exhaust gasses
The exhaust gasses apply a force to the rocket engines, rocket will then accelerate.
CHALLENGES WITH SPACE TRAVEL
Travelling large distances - The devices involved in space travel require large amount of energy to reach high velocities. Much of the fuel is used during launch. We therefore require result engines which will be able to increase the velocity of the device whilst using small amounts of fuel - ion drives.
Travelling large distances using the catapult affect - As the rocket moves towards an object such as the moon, planet or large asteroid, the object that is travelling accelerates meaning it flies past at a greater velocity than before.
Manoeuvring a spacecraft - It is difficult as a spacecraft is weightless on space. There is no friction in space so once the spacecraft starts it wont stop (Newtons first law).
In order to stop the vehicle we need to fire a thruster in the opposite direction.
Maintaining sufficient energy to operate life support systems in a spacecraft - Solar energy is the best source of power as it is free and efficient. Spacecrafts are build so that solar panels can be pivoted as the space craft moves and always point at the sun.
