How does centripetal force act on a satellite in orbit?

Hey there!

How does centripetal force act on a satellite in orbit?

acts as an unbalanced force on the satellite
changes the direction of the satellite
 is a center-directed force

Hope this helps
Have a great day (:

You're at Gravitional Force! I got this question on my test last year. Hold on

A satellite is any body orbiting that is moving around the sun. Since the body is moving it is accelerating with a constant velocity. According to Newton's 2nd law of motion "An object which experiences an acceleration must also be experiencing a net force. The direction of the net force is in the same direction as the acceleration."

A satellite that is moving along a circular must have force acting on it or it will move on in a straight line. This force is perpendicular to the motion of the circle that us towards the motion. [Newton's 1st law- the law of inertia].

The presence of an unbalanced force is required for objects to move in circles. As well as acceleration and resultant force