Calculating Energy for Satellite Orbit at 300km | Physics Homework Help

[charlie05]

Δh = 13,8 km = 13,8 . 10³ m
I suppose ...1 month = 30 days = 30*24 h = 30*24*3600 s = 2 592 000 s

v_r = s/t = 13,8 . 103 / 2 592 000 = 0,005 m/s

 

[mfb]

That is right.

By the way, in English it is a decimal point, commas are used to group digits in large numbers. Example: 1,234,567.89 (about 1.2 millions)

 

[gneill]

Yes, much better. Only one significant figure, but since this is a ballpark approximation and comparison it will suffice. Now you can compare the tangential and radial velocities.

 

[charlie05]

Uffff :-) Thank you both for your patience - and of course help :-)

 

[charlie05]

comparison: v_t : v_r = 7739/0,005 = 1 547 800 / 1...the tangential component of the velocity is about 1 500 000 times greater than the radial component.

 

[gneill]

Good. So what is your conclusion for part (b)?

 

[mfb]

Right.

One comment on (a): While the kinetic energy on the ground is negligible, rockets don't really care about energies. They care about speed. The rotation of Earth is a significant point in rocket launches.

 

[charlie05]

yes, I undestand, thank you very much...