A communication satellite is required to complete one revolution around the Earth in
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
A communication satellite is required to complete one revolution around the Earth in 12h. The radius of a geostationary orbit is 4.22×107m and the Earth’s radius is 6.37×106m.
(i) Obtain an expression that relates the orbital radius r of a satellite to its period T for circular motion around the Earth.
(ii) Using your expression, determine the orbital radius of the 12h satellite.
(iii) Hence calculate its altitude above the Earth’s surface.
(iv) Would such a satellite appear stationary to an observer on the Earth? Give a brief reason.