How Long Does a Call Take Between Quito and Belem via Satellite?

[osustudent2010]

I've got a question I'm working on:


A communications satellite is in an orbit that is 3.2 X 10^7 m directly above the equator. Consider the moment when the satellite is located midway between Quito, Equador, and Belem, Brazil; two cities almost on the equator that are separated by a distance of 3.7 X 10^6 m. Find the time it takes for a telephone call to go by the way of satellite between these cities. Ignore the curvature of the earth.

-- eek! I'm not sure where to start! Is this related to the speed of light in any way?

thanks for the help!

 

[Integral]

Yes, this involves the speed of light, but the main work is geometry of right triangles. Draw a picture that shows the relationship described, compute the lengths involved and proceed from there.

 

[whozum]

All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, I'm assuming theyre talking abuot a geosynchronous orbit where the satelite is in a fixed position.

 

[osustudent2010]

thanks-- all i need to to was draw a picture :)

thanks again