Question

A satellite orbits Earth at an altitude of 356 kilometers above the planet's surface. Compute for its (a) radius (b) speed (c) orbital period. (ME=5.97x10^24 kg)

Answer 1

Solution

Altitude h=356Km

Radius R=6400km

Mass of earth M_E=5.97x10²⁴ kg

a) radius is given

r=R+h=356Km+6400km

R=6956km

b)velocity

$v=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}\\=\sqrt{\frac{6.67\times10^{-11}\times5.97\times10^{24}}{6956000}}\\=5.72\times10^{-7}m/sec$

c) time period

T$=\frac{2\pi R }{v}\\=\frac{2\times3.14\times6956000}{5.72\times10^{-7}}=7.6\times10^{13}sec.$