---
title: "A satellite of mass \\( m \\) is in a stable circular orbit around a planet of mass \\( M \\). The satellite orbits at a constant distance \\( r \\) from the center of the planet. If \\( G \\) is the universal gravitational constant, which of the following expressions represents the orbital speed \\( v \\) of the satellite?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/114462/"
date_modified: "2026-07-03T04:36:47+00:00"
---

# A satellite of mass \( m \) is in a stable circular orbit around a planet of mass \( M \). The satellite orbits at a constant distance \( r \) from the center of the planet. If \( G \) is the universal gravitational constant, which of the following expressions represents the orbital speed \( v \) of the satellite?

A satellite of mass \( m \) is in a stable circular orbit around a planet of mass \( M \). The satellite orbits at a constant distance \( r \) from the center of the planet. If \( G \) is the universal gravitational constant, which of the following expressions represents the orbital speed \( v \) of the satellite?

![A diagram showing a large solid circle labeled with mass M at the center. A dashed circle of radius r represents the orbital path of a satellite. A smaller square labeled with mass m is positioned on the orbital path. An arrow labeled v is drawn tangent to the orbital path starting from the satellite, pointing clockwise. A solid line with arrowheads at both ends is drawn from the center of the planet to the satellite and is labeled r.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/orbital-setup-1-1783053407-roaHNP.jpg)

- **A.** \( v = \sqrt{\dfrac{GM}{r}} \)
- **B.** \( v = \sqrt{\dfrac{Gm}{r}} \)
- **C.** \( v = \sqrt{\dfrac{2GM}{r}} \)
- **D.** \( v = \dfrac{GM}{r} \)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/114462/*