# Gravitation + forces

1. Oct 10, 2009

### gjax21

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

1.A satellites are placed in a circular orbit that is 1.43 × 10^8 m above the surface of the earth. What is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity at this distance

2. Relevant equations

1.I used G*mE/r^2

3. The attempt at a solution

1. Got an answer of .0195m/s^2 I think I get this and have no idea why it is wrong.

Last edited: Oct 10, 2009
2. Oct 10, 2009

### Staff: Mentor

What values did you use for G, mE, and r?

3. Oct 10, 2009

### RoyalCat

Is the satellite $$1.43\cdot 10^8 m$$ above the surface of the earth, or $$1.43\cdot 108 m$$ above the surface of the earth?

Using the former, I got a result only slightly different from yours. Remember that the $$r$$ in that formula is the distance between the center of the earth and the satellite, not from the surface of the earth and the satellite.

4. Oct 10, 2009

### gjax21

O thax I didn't realize it was saying above the surface. I meant 1.43x10^8. :)

using 6.674E-11 for G

Mof earth= 5.98E24

r=149380000

I get an answer of .0179, does that check out?

Last edited: Oct 10, 2009
5. Oct 10, 2009

Got it thax