Question

A spacecraft of mass 1500 kg orbits the earth at an altitude of approximately 450 km above the surface of the earth. Assuming a circular orbit, what is the attractive force that the earth exerts to keep the spacecraft+ in orbit? Answer: (a) 1.28x 10^7 (N) (b) 2.99 x 10^7 (N) (c) 3.56 x 10^7 (N). (d) 4.11 x 10^7 (N) (e) 5.06x 10^7 (N)

Answer 1

Answer:

1.28 x 10^4 N

Explanation:

m = 1500 kg, h = 450 km, radius of earth, R = 6400 km

Let the acceleration due to gravity at this height is g'

g' / g = {R / (R + h)}^2

g' / g = {6400 /  (6850)}^2

g' = 8.55 m/s^2

The force between the spacecraft and teh earth is teh weight of teh spacecraft

W = m x g' = 1500 x 8.55 = 1.28 x 10^4 N