Circular Orbits and Motion - Satellites

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a spy satellite in circular orbit around Earth, specifically focusing on determining the satellite's altitude above Earth's surface and its acceleration. The context includes concepts from orbital mechanics and gravitational physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the satellite's altitude and acceleration using angular velocity and Kepler's 3rd Law. Some participants question the application of Kepler's 3rd Law and whether to use time in hours or seconds for calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of Kepler's 3rd Law and the necessary unit conversions. Guidance has been provided regarding the need to convert time into seconds for consistency with SI units.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted constraint regarding the need for unit conversion, as the period must be expressed in seconds to align with standard calculations in physics.

BlueSkyy
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Homework Statement



A spy satellite is in circular orbit around Earth. It makes one revolution in 6.02 hours. (Radius of the Earth=6.371 times 106 m)

(a) How high above Earth's surface is the satellite?
(b) What is the satellite's acceleration?

Homework Equations



v = sqrt(G*M Earth / r)
Kepler's 3rd Law

The Attempt at a Solution



I found the angular velocity to be 2.899 rad/sec...
I really don't know where to start after that
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What is Kepler's 3rd law? Have you learned Newton's form of Kepler's 3rd law for circular orbits?
 
i just found Newton's form of Kepler's 3rd law on a different website - i will see if i can get it to work...
 
i'm still getting a ridiculous number for the distance...i assume i use Newton's form of Kepler's 3rd law but do i keep the period in hours or seconds? argh...
 
BlueSkyy said:
i'm still getting a ridiculous number for the distance...i assume i use Newton's form of Kepler's 3rd law but do i keep the period in hours or seconds? argh...

The SI units are seconds, so you will have to convert. Remember the distance will be the radius of the Earth plus the satellites orbital height.
 

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