Question

A satellite moves in a circular orbit around Earth at a speed of 4390 m/s
(a) Determine the satellite's altitude above the surface of Earth.(meters)


(b) Determine the period of the satellite's orbit.
(hours)

I used the equation M(sattelite)V^2/r = M(sattelite)(Mass(earth)G/r^2

and tried to solve for r by canceling out one r and the M(sattelite) which gave me


r = GM(earth)/v^2


the answer i keep getting is 20,592,718.12m

but it is not right....

Answer 1

Have you tried subtracting the radius of the Earth? They asked for the altitude. "r" is the distance from the center of the Earth.

Answer 2

oh wow, thanks....

wish I would have thought of that.


it worked.