Question

A 2010 kg space station orbits Earth at an altitude of 5.35×105 m. Find the magnitude of the force with which the space station attracts Earth. The mass and mean radius of Earth are 5.98×1024 kg and 6.37×106 m, respectively.

Answer 1

Force, F = 16814.95 N

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of space station, m = 2010 kg

Altitude,
`d=5.35* 10^5\ m`

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

Mean radius of earth,
`r=6.37* 10^6\ m`

Magnitude of force is given by :

`F=G(Mm)/(R^2)`

R = r + d

`R=6.37* 10^6\ m+5.35* 10^5\ m=6905000\ m`

`F=6.67* 10^(-11)* (2010\ kg* 5.98* 10^(24) kg)/((6905000\ m)^2)`

F = 16814.95 N

So, the force between the space station and the Earth is 16814.95 N. Hence, this is the required solution.