Question

synchronous communications satellites are placed in a circular orbit that is m above the surface of the earth. what is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity at this distance?

Answer 1

g = GM/r^2

where g is the acceleration due to gravity, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Earth, and r is the distance from the centre of Earth to the satellite in orbit.

r = R + m

Where R is the radius of the Earth

Therefore,

g = GM/(R + m)^2