---
title: "A satellite orbits Planet A in a circular path of radius \\(r_A\\) with an orbital period \\(T_A\\). A second satellite orbits Planet B in a circular path of radius \\(r_B = 4r_A\\) with an orbital period \\(T_B = 2T_A\\). The physical radius of Planet B is twice the physical radius of Planet A (\\(R_B = 2R_A\\)). What is the ratio of the gravitational field strength at the surface of Planet B to the gravitational field strength at the surface of Planet A, \\(\\dfrac{g_B}{g_A}\\)?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/112690/"
date_modified: "2026-04-30T20:50:54+00:00"
---

# A satellite orbits Planet A in a circular path of radius \(r_A\) with an orbital period \(T_A\). A second satellite orbits Planet B in a circular path of radius \(r_B = 4r_A\) with an orbital period \(T_B = 2T_A\). The physical radius of Planet B is twice the physical radius of Planet A (\(R_B = 2R_A\)). What is the ratio of the gravitational field strength at the surface of Planet B to the gravitational field strength at the surface of Planet A, \(\dfrac{g_B}{g_A}\)?

A satellite orbits Planet A in a circular path of radius \(r_A\) with an orbital period \(T_A\). A second satellite orbits Planet B in a circular path of radius \(r_B = 4r_A\) with an orbital period \(T_B = 2T_A\). The physical radius of Planet B is twice the physical radius of Planet A (\(R_B = 2R_A\)). What is the ratio of the gravitational field strength at the surface of Planet B to the gravitational field strength at the surface of Planet A, \(\dfrac{g_B}{g_A}\)?

- **A.** 1
- **B.** 4
- **C.** 8
- **D.** 16

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/112690/*