Gravitational Force on satellite orbits

[temaire]

Homework Statement

A satellite orbits Earth 4.0 x 10$$^{7}$$ m away. The force of gravity between the satellite and Earth is 228 N. What is the mass of the satellite?

Homework Equations

Fg = (Gm1m2)/(r$$^{2}$$)

The Attempt at a Solution

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7876/satellitemk0.jpg​

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Is my answer right?

 

[simon1987]

Homework Statement

A satellite orbits Earth 4.0 x 10$$^{7}$$ m away. The force of gravity between the satellite and Earth is 228 N. What is the mass of the satellite?

Homework Equations

Fg = (Gm1m2)/(r$$^{2}$$)

The Attempt at a Solution

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7876/satellitemk0.jpg​

[/URL]

Is my answer right?

Looks good.

 

[ogb p]

Your attempt at a solution is on the right track, but there are a few errors in your calculation. First, the value for the gravitational constant G is 6.67 x 10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2, not 6.67 x 10^-11 Nm/kg^2. Also, the radius r should be squared in the denominator, as shown in the equation. So the correct calculation would be:

m = (Fg * r^2)/(G * M)

Where m is the mass of the satellite, Fg is the force of gravity, r is the distance between the satellite and Earth, G is the gravitational constant, and M is the mass of Earth.

Plugging in the given values, we get:

m = (228 N * (4.0 x 10^7 m)^2)/(6.67 x 10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2 * 5.97 x 10^24 kg)

m = 1.9 x 10^3 kg

So the mass of the satellite is approximately 1,900 kg. However, it's always important to double check your units and make sure they are consistent. In this case, the units for the gravitational constant cancel out, leaving only kg as the unit for mass. So the final answer should be just 1.9 x 10^3, without any units attached.

Overall, your approach and understanding of the concept is correct, but be sure to double check your calculations and units to ensure accuracy.