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

The speed of the satellite is 7809.52 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Radius of Earth,
`r=6.38* 10^6\ m`

Mass of earth,
`M=5.98* 10^(24)\ kg`

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

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

`v=\sqrt{(GM)/(R)}`

R = r + d

`R=(6.38* 10^6\ m+1.6* 10^5\ m)=6540000\ m`

So,
`v=\sqrt{(6.67* 10^(-11)\ Nm^2/kg^2* 5.98* 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.