How Is Gravitational Force Calculated for a Satellite Near Earth?

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SUMMARY

The gravitational force exerted on a 442 kg satellite located 1.87 times the Earth's radius from the center of the Earth is calculated using Newton's law of universal gravitation, yielding a force of approximately 1,238,581,865 N. The satellite's acceleration is determined to be 280,222.14 m/s², while the Earth's acceleration due to the satellite's gravitational pull is calculated as 2.0712 x 10^-17 m/s². The calculations confirm that the gravitational force exerted by the satellite on the Earth is equal to the force exerted on the satellite by the Earth, adhering to Newton's third law of motion.

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pookisantoki
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1.Calculate the magnitude of the graviational force exerted on 442kg satellite that is a distance of 1.87 times Earth radii from the center of the earth
Mass=442kg

For this I used the Newton's law of universal graviation formula: F=(g*m1*m2)/r^2
((6.67*10^-11)(442)(5.98*10^24))/(Radius of the earth(6.38*10^3) * 1.87=11930.6)^2
=1238581865N

a.) What is the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the Earth by the satellite?
I would think it's the same answer as number 1.

b.) Determine the magnitude of the satellite's acceleration
1238581865=Mass*acceleration
123858186=442*a
a=280222.1403

c.)What is the magnitude of the Earth's acceleration
123858186=(5.98*10^24)*a
a=2.0712 *10^-17

but it's wrong what am I doing wrong?
Thank you~!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
pookisantoki said:
...Radius of the earth(6.38*10^3)...
What are the units in that value?
 

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