The earth's radius is about Re = 6.4*10^6 m. At 2*10^6 m above the surface, you are R = 8.4*10^6 m from the center of the Earth. The acceleration of gravity is reduced by a ratio
(6.4/8.4)^2 = 0.58
and g is reduced to g'= 5.7 m/s^2
The potential energy (relative to the ground), is M G[1/Re - 1/R]. G is the universal constant here.
This P.E. will be somewhat less than
M * g *altitude, because g is not constant with altitude
The gravity force is M g'
a satellite has a mass of 100 kg and is located at 2 x 10^6 m above the surface if the Earth. wHAT is the potential energy associated with the satellite at this location? What is the magnitude of the gravitational force on the satellite?
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