An experimental satellite is observed to move in a circular orbit around Earth with a…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

An experimental satellite is observed to move in a circular orbit around Earth with a constant speed of

7.3\,\text{km s}^{-1}

. Take

M_{\text{E}}=6.0\times10^{24}\,\text{kg}

R_{\text{E}}=6.4\times10^{6}\,\text{m}

and

G=6.67\times10^{-11}\,\text{N m}^2\,\text{kg}^{-2}

. (i) Determine the orbital radius of the satellite measured from Earth’s centre. (ii) Hence calculate the height of the satellite above Earth’s surface. (iii) Compute the gravitational potential energy per unit mass for the satellite in this orbit.

Related theory

Gravitational Potential Energy
Gravitation
Satellites & Orbital Motion
Orbital velocity and period
Earth satellites

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