A satellite of mass?=238 kg is in circular orbit around the Earth at an altitude above the earth's surface equal to the earth's mean radius (6370 km). At this distance, the free-fall acceleration is?/4. What is the satellite's orbital speed (m/s) ?

Question

Physics

Kendal Wade

9 April, 08:11

A satellite of mass?=238 kg is in circular orbit around the Earth at an altitude above the earth's surface equal to the earth's mean radius (6370 km). At this distance, the free-fall acceleration is?/4. What is the satellite's orbital speed (m/s) ?

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Answers (1)

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Anna Holmes · Answer 1

7915.47m/s

Explanation:

Parameters given:

Mass of satellite = 238kg

Earth's mean radius = 6370 km = 6370000 m

Orbital speed can be calculated using:

v = (GM/R) ^½

where

G = gravitational constant

M = mass of earth

R = radius of earth

v = [ (6.67408 * 10^ (-11) * 5.98 * 10^24) / 6370000]^½

v = 7915.47 m/s