Question:easy

Which one of the following laws is most applicable to describe the motion of the satellites of the earth?

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Satellites move around the Earth in elliptical orbits. The laws that specifically describe the orbital motion of bodies around a central mass are Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • Newton's laws
  • Kepler's laws
  • Einstein's theory of relativity
  • Kirchhoff's laws
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Look at what is moving.
A satellite goes around the Earth in an oval (elliptical) orbit, so we need the law that describes orbital motion around a central body.

Step 2: Check Newton's laws.
Newton's laws explain forces in general, but they do not by themselves describe the shape and timing of an orbit.

Step 3: Check Kepler's laws.
Kepler's three laws were made exactly for bodies orbiting a central mass: orbits are ellipses, equal areas are swept in equal times, and the square of the period relates to the cube of the orbit size.

Step 4: Rule out the others.
Relativity is only needed for very strong gravity, and Kirchhoff's laws are about electric circuits, not orbits.

Step 5: Match the satellite case.
A satellite's elliptical path and orbital period fit Kepler's laws directly.

Step 6: Conclude.
The most applicable law is Kepler's law.
\[ \boxed{\text{Kepler's laws}} \]
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