Question

The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth at an altitude of 4.08 × 105 m above the surface of the planet. At what velocity must the ISS be moving in order to stay in its orbit?
A) 7.91 × 10^3 m/s
B) 3.12 × 10^4 m/s
C) 7.66 × 10^3 m/s
D) 8.17 × 10^3 m/s

Answer 1

This question involves the concepts of orbital velocity and orbital radius.

The orbital velocity of ISS must be "7660.25 m/s".

The orbital velocity of the ISS can be given by the following formula:

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

where,

v = orbital velocity = ?

G = Universal Gravitational Constant = 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ N.m²/kg²

M = Mass of Earth = 5.97 x 10²⁴ kg

R = orbital radius = radius of earth + altitude = 63.78 x 10⁵ m + 4.08 x 10⁵ m

R = 67.86 x 10⁵ m

Therefore,

$v=\sqrt{\frac{(6.67\ x\ 10^{-11}\ N.m^2/kg^2)(5.97\ x\ 10^{24}\ kg)}{67.86\ x\ 10^5\ m}}$

v = 7660.25 m/s

Learn more about orbital velocity here:

brainly.com/question/541239