Centripetal acceleration of the satellite?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the speed and centripetal acceleration of a satellite in a circular orbit 790 km above Earth's surface with a period of 100.5 minutes. Initial calculations incorrectly used the radius from the Earth's surface instead of from its center, leading to an inaccurate speed of 827 m/s. After correcting the radius to 7.16 million meters, the accurate speed of the satellite was determined to be approximately 7461 m/s. This correction also impacts the centripetal acceleration calculation, emphasizing the importance of using the correct radius. The final answers reflect the necessary adjustments for accurate orbital mechanics.
magnolia1
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Homework Statement


An Earth satellite moves in a circular orbit 790 km above the Earth's surface. The period of the motion is 100.5 min.
(a) What is the speed of the satellite?
(b) What is the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the satellite?

Homework Equations


a= v2 / r

T = (2 Pi r)/ V

The Attempt at a Solution



Converting km to m: 790km*(103m / 1km) = 7.90*105m
Converting min to seconds: 100.5min*(60seconds/1min) = 6.03*103seconds

Now that I have the conversions, I will solve for the unknown variables in the above formulas:
I think the radius is 7.90*105m and period is 6.03*103seconds

(a) Speed of satellite:
v=(2 pi (7.90*105m)) / (6.03*103s)
v=8.27*102m/s

Correct answer: 7460 m/s

because the speed is incorrect, the error follows through to part (b) when substituting in speed.
How is it that it's so far off?
Thanks :)
 
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r should be the radius of the orbit, centred at the centre of Earth. The height of the satellite above the surface of Earth is 790 km, how far is it from the centre of Earth?

ehild
 
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I had to look it up, but 6371 km is from the surface of Earth to its centre. So I will try now with the new radius of (6371km+790km) * (10^3m/1km) = 7.16*10^6metres.
ANS: 7460.63 = 7461m/s

Thanks for your help!
 
magnolia1 said:
I had to look it up, but 6371 km is from the surface of Earth to its centre. So I will try now with the new radius of (6371km+790km) * (10^3m/1km) = 7.16*10^6metres.
ANS: 7460.63 = 7461m/s

Thanks for your help!

You are welcome. :smile:

ehild
 
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