Speed of satellite in circular orbit

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the speed of a satellite in a circular orbit around Earth, given its mass and orbital period. The initial calculations for the radius and speed were incorrect, but after re-evaluating, a radius of approximately 46,357,704 meters was determined. The final speed of the satellite was calculated to be 2,933.27 m/s, which was confirmed by another participant as correct. The conversation highlights the importance of careful calculation in orbital mechanics. Overall, the correct speed of the satellite is 2,933.27 m/s.
thatgirlyouknow
Messages
57
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A satellite is in a circular orbit about the Earth (M = 5.98 x 1024 kg). The period of the satellite is 9.93 x 104 s. What is the speed at which the satellite travels?

Homework Equations



v=(2*pi*r)/T

v=sqrt((GMe)/r)

The Attempt at a Solution



sqrt[((6.67x10^-11)*(5.98x10^24))/r) = 2*pi*r / T
T = 2piR^3/2 / (sqrt[GMe])
r = 8.414 x 10^15
v = 2*pi*r / t
v = 5.324 x 10^11 m/s
 
Physics news on Phys.org
thatgirlyouknow said:

Homework Statement



A satellite is in a circular orbit about the Earth (M = 5.98 x 1024 kg). The period of the satellite is 9.93 x 104 s. What is the speed at which the satellite travels?

Homework Equations



v=(2*pi*r)/T

v=sqrt((GMe)/r)

The Attempt at a Solution



sqrt[((6.67x10^-11)*(5.98x10^24))/r) = 2*pi*r / T
T = 2piR^3/2 / (sqrt[GMe])
r = 8.414 x 10^15

your formula looks right but I think r is wrong... check your calculations
 
Ok after reworking I got that r = 46357704 m. So:

v = sqrt[(GMe)/r]
v = sqrt[(6.67x10^-11*5.98x10^24)/(46357704)]
v = 3594.51 m/s

But this still isn't right. Are my calculations wrong at some point?
 
Ok I worked it again and got v = 2933.27 m/s. (Hooray human error). Can anyone verify that as correct?
 
thatgirlyouknow said:
Ok I worked it again and got v = 2933.27 m/s. (Hooray human error). Can anyone verify that as correct?

yes, looks right to me.
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
Back
Top