A satellite is located 16526 miles from the center of the Ea

A satellite is located 16,526 miles from the center of the Earth and has a nearly circular orbit with a period of 12 hours. Estimate the linear speed of the satellite.

Solution

linear speed = distance / time

since satellite travels in circular orbit, so

distance = 2*pi*r

( r = radius = distance of satellite from center of earth = 16,526 miles)

distance = 2*3.14*16,526

= 103783.28 miles

time = 12 hr

speed = 103783.28 / 12

= 8648.6 miles per hr