Horizontal velocity required to launch into orbit?

AI Thread Summary
To launch a satellite into a circular orbit from the top of Mt. Everest, the horizontal velocity must be calculated using the relationship between centripetal force and gravitational force. The centripetal force can be expressed as F = mv²/R or F = 4π²mR/T², with the first formula being suitable for finding velocity. The gravitational force formula accounts for the mass of the Earth and the satellite, ensuring that the centripetal force equals the gravitational force for stable orbit. If the satellite's speed exceeds a certain threshold, the centripetal force will surpass gravitational pull, preventing it from maintaining orbit. Understanding these forces and their equations is crucial for determining the required launch velocity.
fattydq
Messages
79
Reaction score
0
At what horizontal velocity would a satellite have to be launched from the top of Mt. Everest (elevation 8848 m) to be placed in a circular orbit around Earth?


I'm not sure where I'd start here, any tips?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
All circular orbit problems begin with
Centripetal force = Gravitational force
Fill in the detailed formulas and solve for whatever you want.
 
What are these "detailed formulas" searching online it seems there's many formulas related to these forces?
 
For centripetal force, you have your choice of F = mv^2/R or
F = 4π²mR/T². If you know or want to find v, you use the first one. If you know or want to find the period T, use the second.

For the gravitational force, you must use the formula that gives the force exerted by one mass (the Earth) on another (the satellite).
Fc = Fg means that the centripetal force holding it in circular motion is provided by the gravitational pull of the Earth. Fc increases with speed, so if it is going too fast Fc will be too large for the Fg to hold it in circular motion.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Velocity required to escape the solar system
Replies
15
Views
1K
Launch service between two stations along a flowing river
Replies
21
Views
980
Launch Velocity for Satellite from Mt. Everest to Orbit Earth
Replies
7
Views
3K
Conservation of momentum (center of mass) in projectile launches
Replies
15
Views
1K
Make 2 launchers that shoot a straw with clay at the end
Replies
3
Views
1K
An object is launched from the Earth to escape the Sun
Replies
5
Views
2K
Hohmann transfer ellipse to Mars orbit from LEO
Replies
6
Views
2K
From circular orbit to elliptical orbit
Replies
3
Views
2K
Circular Motion and the Law of Gravitation -- question
Replies
1
Views
2K
A moving boat with a flag on its mast
Replies
15
Views
909

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top