Question

7. A satellite in a circular orbit rotates around the Earth every 120 minutes. If the Earth's radius is

4000 miles at sea level, and the satellite's orbit is 400 miles above sea level, approximately what distance
does the satellite travel in 40 minutes?
a. 1400 miles
b. 9210 miles
c. 4400 miles
d. 4120 miles
e. 8000 miles

Answer 1

b.9210

Step-by-step explanation:

circumference of circle = 2πr

So, the circumference of satellite's orbit = 2π(4400) = 8800π

GIVEN: the satellite in a circular orbit rotates around the Earth every 120 minutes.

In other words, the satellite travels 8800π every 120 minutes

So, in 40 minutes, the satellite will travel 1/3 of the 8800π mile orbit (since 40 minutes is 1/3 of 120 minute)

Distance traveled = 8800π/3