Satellite height from earth Question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the height of geostationary satellites, which maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface. Participants are exploring the relationship between orbital mechanics and gravitational forces to determine the satellite's height from both the center and surface of the Earth.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's second law in the context of circular motion and gravitational forces. There are attempts to set up equations relating the satellite's orbital radius to gravitational parameters. Some participants express confusion about the variables involved and the equations being used.

Discussion Status

Several participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing their equations and reasoning. There is a mix of attempts to derive the height and expressions of uncertainty about the correctness of their approaches. Guidance has been offered regarding the setup of equations, but no consensus has been reached on the solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information available to them. There is a noted lack of clarity regarding certain variables and constants, which is contributing to the confusion in their calculations.

thomasrules
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I hate this question:

I don't know if I'm doing something wrong because it seems so hard. Can i get someones way of doing this question...

Communications satellites are placed in orbit so that they remain stationary relatice to a specific area on the Earth's surface. They are given the name synchornous satellites because, to maintain such a position, their period as they orbit must be the same as the Earth's.
What is the height of such a satellite measured from
a) the centre of the Earth, and
b) the surface of the Earth
 
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They are called geostationary satellites.

Their trajectory can be a circle.Apply the 2nd law to the satellite in the inertial frame given by the center of the Earth.

Daniel.
 
I'm not given an acceleration though

2nd law:?

net f=ma

ma=M(4pi^2r)/T^2

is that it?
 
Okay,now use the fact that the movement is not in a straight line,but on a circle...

What is the RHS of your equation??

Daniel.
 
man you've got to help me here...Okay I'll tell you what I've done...

i got (r+x) as my radius...x being the distance from Earth surface to satellite. therefore

4pi^2(r+x)/T^2=GM/(r+x)^2

I continued after that but this is probably all wrong please help...:)
 
Perfect.Your equation is good.Now just plug in the numbers and tell me your result.Total distance (from the Earth's center).

Daniel.
 
LOL that can't be right dext. I mean I get cubes when i cross multiply and it's all messed up...I get stuck later i can't find x

I got stuck at

x=7.51(10)^22/(1.2E14+1.9E7x+x^2)

THATS so wrong ain't it
 
You needn't solve for "x".Your unknown is not necessarily "x".Think about it. :wink:

Daniel.
 
  • #10
dexter i need to know r+x which is equal to height but in order to know that I need to solve for x right...then add x with r which i have already...

I'm sorry but my iq is nothing compared to yours
 
  • #11
How about this equation??Can u solve it...?

[tex](R+x)^{3}=\frac{T_{rot}^{2}GM_{E}}{4\pi^{2}}[/tex]

Daniel.

P.S.How about "thinking out of the box"? :wink:
 
  • #12
OMG ! HAHAHAHAHAHA DEXTERCIOBY...I'm so Amazed...seeing that equation was like magic to me...like how the hell OMG
you know what I did was the following ! :
4pi^2(r+x)(r^2+2rx+x^2)=Gmt^2

and then multiplied each one

THANK YOU OMNISCIENT ONE
 

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