How Does Induced Current Affect Satellite Orbits?

[Masafi]

A satellite was connected to the shuttle by a long, conducting cable, the satellite being in the higher orbit. As the shuttle orbited through the Earth’s magnetic field, an e.m.f. was induced in the conducting cable.

The shuttle, cable and satellite were all moving through the ionosphere, which contains many charmed particles. The charged particles were able to complete a circuit, allowing a current to flow through the cable. One result of this current was that the orbit height of the shuttle, cable and satellite gradually became less.

Explain
(a) the origin of the induced e.m.f.,
(b) the reduction in the orbit height due to the flow of current


Answer:

a) The origin of the induced e.m.f:
Faraday’s law
As conductor cuts field lines
Electrons experience force along wire
move to one end --> e.m.f.


(b) Reduction in orbit height due to flow of current:
Current + field --> force OR Fleming L H rule
Lenz’s law:
Force opposes motion
Orbiting craft lose energy/speed

I don't understand the last 2 points of (a) and all of (b)

 

[lippyka]

For (a), Faraday's law states that an electromotive force (e.m.f) is induced in a conductor when it moves through a magnetic field. As the shuttle, cable, and satellite move through the Earth's magnetic field, the relative motion between the conductor and the field lines creates an e.m.f. in the cable.For (b), Lenz's law states that the induced current will always oppose the motion that induced it. This means that the current will create a force opposite to the direction of the movement of the shuttle, cable, and satellite. This causes a loss in energy, resulting in a decrease in the orbit height of the craft.

 

[kerimek]

a) The induced e.m.f. is a result of Faraday's law, which states that when a conductor (in this case, the cable) cuts through magnetic field lines (in this case, the Earth's magnetic field), an e.m.f. is induced in the conductor. This is because the motion of the conductor through the magnetic field causes the electrons in the conductor to experience a force, which leads to the creation of an e.m.f. along the wire.

In simpler terms, as the shuttle moves through the Earth's magnetic field, the cable connected to the satellite also moves through the field, resulting in an e.m.f. being induced in the cable.

b) The flow of current through the cable creates a force in accordance with Fleming's Left Hand Rule (also known as the motor rule), which states that when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, a force is exerted on the conductor. This force is in the opposite direction to the motion of the conductor.

In this scenario, the force created by the current in the cable is in the opposite direction to the motion of the shuttle, cable, and satellite. This force acts to slow down the motion of the orbiting objects, causing them to lose energy and speed. As a result, their orbit height gradually decreases as they move closer to the Earth's surface. This reduction in orbit height is a direct consequence of the flow of current induced by the Earth's magnetic field.