Question on gravitation(low-altitude satellite)

  • Thread starter Thread starter karis
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Satellite
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
karis
Messages
9
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A low-altitude satellite near the Earth's surface has a speed of 7.90 km s-1. The radius of the Earth is about 4 times that of the moon and the ratio of the average density of the Earth to that of the moon is about 5:4. The speed of a low-altitde satellite near the moon's surface would be

A. 1.77km s-1
B. 2.21km s-1
C. 2.47km s-1
D. 3.57km s-1
E. 4.42km s-1

Homework Equations


v2 = GM/r



The Attempt at a Solution


i got the ans of 3.12km s-1
the ratio of the mass of Earth to moon would be 80:1
n the ratio of radius of Earth to moon is 4:1
so i guess it's 7.92/20 ?

Pls help, i don't know what i did wrong :(
Thz so much
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Look at your equation again. What variable does 7.9^2/20 represent?
 
7.9 is the speed of satellite near Earth's surface, and 20 is the ratio of the mass and radius combining, (1/80)*4
 
Not the individual terms, what variable does your answer aka 7.9^2/20 = 3.12 represent? Look carefully; is it the speed of the satellite?