Question

A satellite moves in a circular orbit a distance of 1.6×10^5 m above Earth's surface. (radius of Earth is 6.38 x 10^6m and its mass is 5.98 x 10^24 kg). Determine the speed of the satellite.

Answer 1

Answer:

The speed of the satellite is 7809.52 m/s        

Explanation:

It is given that,

Radius of Earth, $r=6.38\times 10^6\ m$

Mass of earth, $M=5.98\times 10^{24}\ kg$

A satellite moves in a circular orbit a distance of, $d=1.6\times 10^5\ m$  above Earth's surface.

We need to find the speed of the satellite. It is given by :

$v=\sqrt{\dfrac{GM}{R}}$

R = r + d

$R=(6.38\times 10^6\ m+1.6\times 10^5\ m)=6540000\ m$

So, $v=\sqrt{\dfrac{6.67\times 10^{-11}\ Nm^2/kg^2\times 5.98\times 10^{24}\ kg}{6540000\ m}}$

v = 7809.52 m/s

So, the speed of the satellite is 7809.52 m/s. Hence, this is the required solution.