A satellite moves in a circular orbit around Earth at a spee

A satellite moves in a circular orbit around Earth at a speed of 4169 m/s.

(a) Determine the satellite\'s altitude above the surface of Earth.
1 m
(b) Determine the period of the satellite\'s orbit.
2 h

Solution

m v ^2 /r = G M m / r^2 v ^2 = G M / r r = G M / v^2 GM for earth is 3.982 x10^14 n m^2 r = 3.982 x10^14 / [4251] ^2 r = 2.2035 x 10^7 m The mean radius of earth is 6371000m Altitude =2.2035 x 10^7 - 6371000 = 15.66 x 10^ 6 m ----------- Period =T = 2pr /v = 2p 2.2035 x 10^7 / 4251 = 32568.80s 9.046 hour