Answer: equal.
- A equal
- B the heavier one is faster
- C the lighter one is faster
- D the heavier one is slower
Correct answer: A. equal
Explanation: Orbital speed v = √(GM/r) is independent of the satellite mass, so they are equal.
g is maximum at Earth's surface; going up, it falls off as 1/r² (inverse-square); going down, it falls off linearly with depth (since only the mass enclosed within radius r contributes), reaching zero at the centre.
Concept context
Universal gravitation, orbital mechanics, gravitational potential, and escape velocity.