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Homework Statement
"A satellite orbits the Earth in a circular orbit of radius r. If the orbital speed of the satellite is v, what is the orbital period T of the satellite in terms of v and r? You must explain how you derive the expression for the period."
Homework Equations
Speed = distance/time
a = v2/r
The Attempt at a Solution
Distance for 1 revolution of a circle is equal to the circumference. So distance = 2(pi)r
Time to travel 1 revolution = period T
So velocity = speed = 2(pi)r/T
a = v2/r
a = 2(pi)r/T * 1/T
a = 2(pi)r / T2
At this point I would solve for T, but I am not sure if this is valid, what I'm doing? I don't think we are supposed to have an acceleration in there, so I was wondering if there is another equation I could use that relates v and r. Btw this is not graded, it's just a sample test (that we're not turning in) to help us for the real test (on Tuesday). Thanks for any assistance.
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