Orbital Speed (GCSE Physics)

Orbital Speed

Orbital Speed

The orbital speed of different planets varies. The speed is dependent on the distance from the Sun.

The larger the distance from the Sun, the longer the time is for one orbit to be completed.

Formula for Orbital Speed

During one orbit, a planet would travel at a distance equal to the circumference of a circle representing the orbit.

Therefore the orbital speed of planets and satellites can be worked out using the following formula.