The mass of the Earth is and its radius is

PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

The mass of the Earth is 6.0×1024 kg6.0\times10^{24}\,\text{kg} and its radius is 6.4×106 m6.4\times10^{6}\,\text{m}. Two identical satellites, each of mass 1000 kg1000\,\text{kg}, revolve around the Earth in circular orbits. (a) Satellite A orbits at an altitude of 600 km600\,\text{km} above the Earth’s surface, while satellite B orbits at an altitude of 1800 km1800\,\text{km}. Calculate the ratio of the gravitational forces FB/FAF_B/F_A acting on satellites B and A. (b) Using G=6.67×10−11 N m2/kg2G = 6.67\times10^{-11}\,\text{N m}^2\text{/kg}^2, find the actual magnitude of the force on each satellite. (c) By what percentage does the force of attraction decrease when the orbital altitude is raised from 600 km600\,\text{km} to 1800 km1800\,\text{km}?

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