Given , Earth’s mass

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Gravitation · Gravitation

Problem

Given

G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}\,\text{N m}^2\text{kg}^{-2}

, Earth’s mass

M = 5.97 \times 10^{24}\,\text{kg}

, and Earth’s mean radius

R = 6.37 \times 10^{6}\,\text{m}

, a communication satellite is required to appear stationary with respect to a point on Earth. (i) Calculate the distance

r

of the satellite from Earth’s centre when its time period is

24\,\text{h}

. (ii) Hence determine the altitude

h

of the satellite above Earth’s surface, expressing your answer in kilometres to three significant figures.