figure the radius R of the orbit
The distance traveled in one orbit is thus 2πR
Now just figure how many orbits it makes in 24 hours. That will give the total distance traveled.
Then just divide that by the time (86400 s) to get the speed.
A satellite orbits at a distance from the Earth's center of abut 3.00 earth radii and takes 7.30 hours to go around once. What distance (in meters) does the satellite travel in one day? And, what is the orbital velocity (in m/s)? I'm completely lost. I haven't gotten even close with several practice questions. Does anyone have any guidance? Thank you.
5 answers
Thanks, Steve. Still get the wrong answer. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. One of the practice problems is 5.80 radii and 19.6 hours. It gives the answers as 284,000,000 and 3287. I get how they got the velocity, but not the distance. Since I haven't been able to determine the distance on any of the problems, velocity determination is also incorrect. I appreciate your help.
(2)(3.14)(3.00)(6.4 x 10^6)(3.288) = 396,453,888 m
24/7.3 = 3.288
396,453,888 / 86,400 = 4,589
24/7.3 = 3.288
396,453,888 / 86,400 = 4,589
Hmmm. your math looks good. Using the 5.8R and 19.6 I get
(2)(3.14)(5.8)(6.4 * 10^6)(1.22) = 284,398,592
which agrees with their rounded answer for distance. Divide that by 86400 seconds and it gives a speed of 3291 m/s, which is pretty close.
Is your answer anywhere near theirs?
(2)(3.14)(5.8)(6.4 * 10^6)(1.22) = 284,398,592
which agrees with their rounded answer for distance. Divide that by 86400 seconds and it gives a speed of 3291 m/s, which is pretty close.
Is your answer anywhere near theirs?
yes, it is. Got both answers correct. 396,453,888 and 4589. I needed to multiply by the partial day 24/7.3. Then, it worked. That was the missing piece. Thanks again!