• Amal Augustine
• December 29, 2025

Mastering Orbital Mechanics and Escape Velocity MCQs: A Powerful & Smart Guide to Gravitation in Motion

Understanding orbital mechanics and escape velocity MCQs is essential for mastering gravitation-based problems in competitive physics exams. These orbital mechanics and escape velocity mcqs questions connect Kepler’s laws, satellite motion, angular momentum, escape velocity, and gravitational energy into a unified framework. From planetary motion around the Sun to artificial satellites orbiting Earth, orbital mechanics explains how gravity governs motion on a cosmic scale. Practicing orbital mechanics and escape velocity MCQs from this topic strengthens conceptual clarity on why planets move in ellipses, how satellites remain bound, and what conditions allow objects to escape gravitational fields. In this post it brings together carefully selected orbital mechanics and  escape velocity MCQs that test both numerical skills and conceptual depth.

A major advantage of solving Orbital Mechanics and Escape Velocity MCQs is that they link gravitation theory directly with real-world space phenomena. These orbital mechanics and Escape velocity MCQs explain why satellites remain in stable orbits, how orbital radius affects time period, and why escape velocity is independent of the mass of the projectile. Many Orbital Mechanics and Escape Velocity MCQs also highlight energy conservation, showing the relationship between kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and total mechanical energy in orbital motion.

Orbital Mechanics and Escape Velocity MCQs –

1)

Two planets are at distances R1R_1R1​ and R2R_2R2​ from the sun, their periods are T1T_1T1​ and T2T_2T2​, T2T1\dfrac{T_2}{T_1}T1​T2​​ is equal to
A. R2R1\dfrac{R_2}{R_1}R1​R2​​
B. (R2R1)2\left(\dfrac{R_2}{R_1}\right)^2(R1​R2​​)2
C. (R2R1)3\left(\dfrac{R_2}{R_1}\right)^3(R1​R2​​)3
D. (R1R2)3\left(\dfrac{R_1}{R_2}\right)^3(R2​R1​​)3
Answer: A

2)

The time period of an earth satellite in circular orbit is independent of
A. radius of the orbit
B. neither the mass of the satellite nor the radius of the orbit
C. the mass of the satellite
D. both the mass of satellite and radius of the orbit
Answer: C

3)

Kepler’s second law… is equivalent to saying that
A. tangential acceleration is zero
B. total acceleration is zero
C. longitudinal acceleration is zero
D. radial acceleration is zero
Answer: B

4)

Evidence that a force acts on Earth towards the Sun is
A. Deviation of falling bodies toward east
B. Revolution of the earth around the sun
C. Phenomenon of day and night
D. Apparent motion of sun around the earth
Answer: B

5)

If shaded area SCD is twice SAB, then
A. t1>t2t_1>t_2t1​>t2​
B. t1+t2=t2t_1+t_2=t_2t1​+t2​=t2​
C. t1=4t2t_1=4t_2t1​=4t2​
D. t1=2t2t_1=2t_2t1​=2t2​
Answer: D

6)

Extract the questions 387, 388 and 389 and their respective options from this image into a tabular form without losing the subscript and superscript without question number:
A. Time
B. Mass
C. Angular momentum
D. Linear momentum
Answer: C

7)

If satellite period is 5 h and separation becomes 4 times, new period =
A. 10 h
B. 80 h
C. 40 h
D. 20 h
Answer: C

8)

Universal time is based on
A. Rotation of Earth about its axis
B. Vibrations of cesium atom
C. Earth’s orbital motion around sun
D. Oscillation of quartz crystal
Answer: A

9)

Kepler’s second law is a statement of
A. Work-energy theorem
B. Conservation of linear momentum
C. Conservation of angular momentum
D. Conservation of energy
Answer: C

10)

Comet in highly elliptical orbit: constants are
A. Angular speed and angular momentum
B. Kinetic energy and potential energy
C. Angular momentum and total energy
D. Angular speed and total energy
Answer: C

11)

Planet in elliptical orbit: correct statement is
A. TTT is conserved
B. UUU is always positive
C. EEE is always negative
D. LLL conserved but direction changes continuously
Answer: C

12)

Closest distance r1r_1r1​, farthest r2r_2r2​, velocities v1,v2v_1, v_2v1​,v2​. Ratio v1/v2v_1/v_2v1​/v2​ is
A. r2/r1r_2/r_1r2​/r1​
B. (r2/r1)2(r_2/r_1)^2(r2​/r1​)2
C. r1/r2r_1/r_2r1​/r2​
D. (r1/r2)2(r_1/r_2)^2(r1​/r2​)2
Answer: A

13)

Light from Sun to Earth takes
A. ~4 min
B. ~8 min
C. ~24 min
D. ~42 min
Answer: B

14)

For elliptical orbit with semi-major aaa, semi-minor bbb: T2∝T^2 \proptoT2∝
A. a3a^3a3
B. b3b^3b3
C. (2a+b)3(2a+b)^3(2a+b)3
D. (2a−b)3(2a-b)^3(2a−b)3
Answer: A

15)

Two satellites S1S_1S1​ and S2S_2S2​ in same orbit, m2=4m1m_2=4m_1m2​=4m1​. True statement:
A. T1=4T2T_1=4T_2T1​=4T2​
B. Potential energies equal
C. Same speed
D. Kinetic energies equal
Answer: C

16)

Polar satellites
A. High altitude satellite
B. Widely used for telecommunication
C. Used for environmental studies
D. Go E–W direction
Answer: C

17)

Astronaut feels weightless because
A. Gravity is large there
B. Gravity is large in space
C. Astronaut experiences no gravity
D. Gravity is infinitely large there
Answer: C

18)

Velocity > orbital but < escape → path is
A. circular
B. elliptical
C. parabolic
D. hyperbolic
Answer: B

19)

Geostationary satellite is one which
A. Remains stationary at fixed height
B. Revolves opposite direction
C. Same angular velocity as Earth and same direction
D. None
Answer: A

20)

Angular momentum of satellite (mass mmm, orbit radius R0R_0R0​, Earth mass MMM) is
A. R0GMmR_0\sqrt{GMm}R0​GMm​
B. mGMR0m\sqrt{GMR_0}mGMR0​​
C. mR0GMmR_0\sqrt{GM}mR0​GM​
D. GMR0Mm\sqrt{\dfrac{GMR_0}{Mm}}MmGMR0​​​
Answer: B

21)

Satellites X and Y same orbit, mass of X is twice Y, then
A. KE equal
B. Speeds equal
C. PE equal
D. None
Answer: B

22)

Escape velocity of particle of mass mmm varies as
A. m2m^2m2
B. mmm
C. m0m^0m0
D. m−1m^{-1}m−1
Answer: C

23)

Escape velocity for monkey from Earth is 11.2 km/s, it is
A. < 11.2 km/s
B. > 11.2 km/s
C. 11.2 km/s
D. None
Answer: C

24)

Near Earth surface satellite speed ~
A. 5 km/s
B. 8 km/s
C. 2 km/s
D. 11 km/s
Answer: B

25)

Time for Sun’s apparent shift of 1° corresponds to
A. 4 min
B. 4 h
C. 4 s
D. 24 h
Answer: A

26)

Bodies at equator may appear weightless at speed
A. 1×10−21\times10^{-2}1×10−2 km/s
B. 1.56×10−31.56\times10^{-3}1.56×10−3 km/s
C. 1.25×10−41.25\times10^{-4}1.25×10−4
D. 1.56
Answer: A

27)

Height of geostationary satellite
A. 16000 km
B. 22000 km
C. 28000 km
D. 36000 km
Answer: D

28)

Escape firing speed does NOT depend on
A. mass of Earth
B. mass of projectile
C. radius of orbit
D. gravitational constant
Answer: B

29)

Relation between orbital v0v_0v0​ and escape vev_eve​:
A. ve=v0v_e=v_0ve​=v0​
B. ve=3v0v_e=3v_0ve​=3v0​
C. ve=2 v0v_e=\sqrt{2}\,v_0ve​=2​v0​
D. v0=vev_0=v_ev0​=ve​
Answer: C

30)

Escape velocity at 50° projection is
A. 12.8 km/s
B. 16.2 km/s
C. 11.2 km/s
D. 11.8 km/s
Answer: C

31)

Hubble’s law
A. v=Hrv=Hrv=Hr
B. v=H2rv=H^2rv=H2r
C. v=H/r2v=H/r^2v=H/r2
D. v=Hr2v=Hr^2v=Hr2
Answer: A

32)

Binding energy of satellite is 4×1084\times10^84×108 J, its PE is
A. −4×108-4\times10^8−4×108 J
B. −8×108-8\times10^8−8×108 J
C. 8×1088\times10^88×108 J
D. 4×1084\times10^84×108 J
Answer: B

33)

Escape from solar system (Earth stationary) needs
A. 11.2 km/s
B. 22.4 km/s
C. 33.6 km/s
D. 42 km/s
Answer: D

34)

Escape velocity for mass 4m4m4m if for mass mmm is vvv
A. vvv
B. 2v2v2v
C. 4v4v4v
D. none
Answer: A

35)

Period of geostationary satellite
A. 24 h
B. 12 h
C. 30 h
D. 48 h
Answer: A

36)

If OB/OA = R, then ratio of Earth’s velocities at A and B is
A. R−1R^{-1}R−1
B. R\sqrt{R}R​
C. RRR
D. R2/3R^{2/3}R2/3
Answer: C

37)

A geostationary satellite
A. revolves about polar axis
B. has smaller period than near-earth satellite
C. moves faster than near-earth satellite
D. is stationary in space
Answer: A

38)

Pressure transmission in enclosed fluid is
A. Archimedes
B. Floatation law
C. Pascal’s law
D. Bernoulli
Answer: C

39)

Rocket fired from deep mine to escape Earth needs
A. exactly same as escape velocity from surface
B. a little more than escape velocity
C. a little less than escape velocity
D. infinity
Answer: B

40)

Binding energy at height h is 3.5×1083.5\times10^83.5×108 J, potential energy is
A. 3.5×1083.5\times10^83.5×108 J
B. −3.5×108-3.5\times10^8−3.5×108 J
C. 7.0×1087.0\times10^87.0×108 J
D. −7.0×108-7.0\times10^8−7.0×108 J
Answer: D

Conclusion

Orbital mechanics and escape velocity MCQs provide a powerful way to connect gravitational theory with real astronomical motion. These orbital mechanics and escape velocity mcqs questions reinforce how conservation laws govern planetary orbits, why satellites remain stable, and what conditions allow objects to escape Earth’s gravity. By practicing such orbital mechanics and escape velocity  MCQs, students gain confidence in solving exam-level problems involving Kepler’s laws, orbital energy, angular momentum, and satellite dynamics. Mastery of this orbital mechanics and escape velocity mcqs topic not only improves numerical accuracy but also builds a deeper conceptual understanding of motion under gravity.

In conclusion, Orbital Mechanics and Escape Velocity MCQs are an effective tool for mastering the physics of gravitation and space motion. Regular practice of Orbital Mechanics and Escape Velocity MCQs improves conceptual clarity, numerical accuracy, and exam confidence. These orbital mechanics and Escape velocity MCQs help students clearly distinguish between orbital velocity and escape velocity while reinforcing core ideas like angular momentum conservation and gravitational binding energy.