The discussion revolves around calculating the velocity of a satellite positioned 3600 km above the Earth's surface, focusing on the implications of gravitational acceleration at that altitude and the appropriate radius for calculations.
Some participants express agreement with the original poster's approach while others suggest that additional considerations regarding gravitational changes at altitude and the correct radius need to be addressed. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.
There is an emphasis on the need to account for variations in gravitational acceleration at higher altitudes and the correct radius for the satellite's orbit, which may not simply be the altitude above the Earth's surface.
Filip Larsen said:Two things you need to include in your calculation:
1) at 3600 km above the surface of Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is not same as at the surface.
2) The radius in the circular motion equation is not 3600 km.
The correct value is a bit more than what you got.