Question

Calculate the gravitational force acting on a 251 kg satellite at an altitude of of 1.2*10^4km above Earth's surface.

(The question provided the Earth's radius and mass)
Me = 5.97*10^24
Re = 6.38*10^6

I think my calculator might be acting up today so if you could provide everything step by step that would be very nice

Answer 1

296.1N

Step-by-step explanation:

The formula for force of gravity is GMm/r^2, where G is the gravitational constant, M is mass object A, m is mass object B and r is distance from the CENTER of object A to object B. First, lets solve GMm. G*5.97*10^24*251=1*10^17

Now lets solve for r:

r=(Re+r)=(6.38*10^6+1.2*10^4)

While it makes sense, distance of the sattelite is in Kilometers, and we need it in meters, so:

r=(Re+r)=(6.38*10^6+1.2*10^4*1000)=18380000

now to the solving:

1*10^17/18380000^2=296.1N