What is the orbital speed of a satellite at a radius of 34 km?

Thread starter SamRosenblatt
Start date Nov 8, 2010
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Orbital Orbital speed Satellite Speed

In summary, the orbital speed of a satellite is the speed at which it travels around a larger object, and it can be calculated using the formula v = √(G*M/r). The mass of the larger object, the distance between the satellite and the larger object, and the gravitational force between the two objects all affect the orbital speed of a satellite. Orbital speed and tangential speed are different, with orbital speed being slower due to the curved path of the satellite. The altitude of a satellite also affects its orbital speed, with higher altitudes resulting in slower speeds due to the decrease in gravitational force.

Nov 8, 2010

SamRosenblatt

Homework Statement

A satellite is in orbit around a planet. The orbital radius is 34 km and the gravitational acceleration at that height is 2.3 m/s^2 What is the sattelites orbital speed in m/s

Last edited: Nov 8, 2010

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Nov 8, 2010

tiny-tim

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Use centripetal acceleration.

What is the orbital speed of a satellite?

The orbital speed of a satellite is the speed at which it travels around a larger object, such as a planet or moon.

How is the orbital speed of a satellite calculated?

The orbital speed of a satellite can be calculated using the formula v = √(G*M/r), where v is the orbital speed, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the larger object, and r is the distance between the satellite and the larger object.

What factors affect the orbital speed of a satellite?

The orbital speed of a satellite is affected by the mass of the larger object it is orbiting, the distance between the satellite and the larger object, and the gravitational force between the two objects.

What is the difference between orbital speed and tangential speed?

Orbital speed refers to the speed at which a satellite travels around a larger object, while tangential speed refers to the speed at which the satellite moves along its orbital path. Orbital speed is generally slower than tangential speed, as the satellite's path is curved.

How does altitude affect the orbital speed of a satellite?

The higher the altitude of a satellite, the slower its orbital speed. This is because the gravitational force decreases with distance, and the satellite must travel at a slower speed to maintain its orbit at a higher altitude.