Centripetal acceleration of the satellite?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the speed and centripetal acceleration of a satellite in a circular orbit 790 km above the Earth's surface, with a motion period of 100.5 minutes. The subject area includes concepts of circular motion and gravitational physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to correctly identify the radius of the orbit, questioning whether the radius should include the Earth's radius in addition to the satellite's altitude. There is an exploration of unit conversions and the implications of incorrect values on the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on recalculating the radius by including the Earth's radius, leading to a revised speed calculation. There is an acknowledgment of the initial error in the radius used, and the discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of using the correct radius from the center of the Earth, which includes the Earth's radius plus the altitude of the satellite. There is a focus on ensuring that all units are converted properly for accurate calculations.

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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