Question

Why is it inaccurate to use mgy to calculate the potential energy of a satellite orbiting earth at a height one earth radius above the earth's surface

Answer 1

The equation for the force of gravity is F=Gm(planet)m(satellite)/radius(of orbit)^2


Therefore, the square of the distance between the objects (the earth and the satellite) inversely affects the force of gravity on the satellite. This means that the farther apart the objects are, the smaller the force of gravity is (not the constant acceleration of 9.8m/s^2).