Gravitational acceleration/ centripetal

AI Thread Summary
To find the altitude of a satellite in circular orbit around Earth, the gravitational constant (G) and the satellite's orbital speed (3160 m/s) are provided. The mass of Earth is necessary for calculations, which is given as approximately 5.9736×10^24 kg. The formula R^3orbit/T^2 = GMplanet/4π^2 relates the radius of the orbit to the gravitational force acting on the satellite. By rearranging this equation and substituting the known values, the altitude above Earth's surface can be calculated. The discussion emphasizes the importance of knowing Earth's mass for solving the problem.
Maiia
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Homework Statement


Given: G = 6.67259 × 10−11 N · m2/kg2
A satellite moves in a circular orbit around Earth at a speed of 3160 m/s.
Find the satellite’s altitude above the surface of Earth. Answer in units of m.

I'm not sure how to do this without the mass of Earth..don't you need it to plug it into:

R^3orbit/ T^2 = GMplanet/ 4pi^2
 
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Maiia said:

Homework Statement


Given: G = 6.67259 × 10−11 N · m2/kg2
A satellite moves in a circular orbit around Earth at a speed of 3160 m/s.
Find the satellite’s altitude above the surface of Earth. Answer in units of m.

I'm not sure how to do this without the mass of Earth..don't you need it to plug it into:

R^3orbit/ T^2 = GMplanet/ 4pi^2

wikipedia said:
Mass 5.9736×1024 kg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth
 

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