How Do You Calculate the Orbital Period of a Satellite?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the orbital period of a satellite, one must first determine its orbital radius by adding the altitude above Earth's surface (225 km) to Earth's radius (6.38 million meters). The relevant formula for the orbital period is derived from Kepler's third law, which relates the square of the period to the cube of the radius. The discussion highlights confusion about whether to express time in hours or seconds, with clarification that significant figures should be used appropriately. Finally, the circumference of the orbit can be calculated using the orbital radius, which is essential for determining the period based on the speed already calculated. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately finding the satellite's orbital period.
Havenater23
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Homework Statement


If the space station orbits the Earth 225 km above the surface , what are the satellites orbital speed and period ? The mass of the Earth is 5.97 E24 kg and the radius is 6.38 E6 m.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I already have the speed ( v ) , I just don't understand how to find the orbital period

Te^2/ Re^3 = Ts^2/ Rs^3

I know the Earth's radius and orbital, but do I put the t in hours or seconds ?
How do I find the satellites radius ?
If anyone could help it would be appreciated.
 
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Havenater23 said:
I already have the speed ( v ) , I just don't understand how to find the orbital period

Te^2/ Re^3 = Ts^2/ Rs^3

I know the Earth's radius and orbital, but do I put the t in hours or seconds ?

Just use the correct significant figures for either.

What's Te?

How do I find the satellites radius ?
? How did you find the speed without the orbital radius? You said you had the orbital radius. :confused:

Maybe you should show your work so far.
 
Well I got the orbital radius by take the 225km + 6.38 * 10^6 m .
Converting 225 km to m. I used that as the R in the problem to find the speed.
 
Havenater23 said:
Well I got the orbital radius by take the 225km + 6.38 * 10^6 m .
Converting 225 km to m. I used that as the R in the problem to find the speed.

I'm confused then. Apparently you have the orbital radius, yet you asked how to find it.

Well, moving on. What did you determine the speed to be?
 
Like 7761 m/s
 
Okay, you have a speed. What is the circumference of the orbit?
 

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