Satellite in Orbit? - Acceleration & Height of Spy Satellite

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The discussion focuses on calculating the height and acceleration of a spy satellite in circular orbit, which completes one revolution in 6.04 hours. Participants emphasize the importance of using the correct equations, particularly relating centripetal force to gravitational force. The key equation derived is R^3=(T^2*G*M)/(4pi^2), where R is the distance from Earth's center to the satellite, T is the orbital period in seconds, G is the gravitational constant, and M is Earth's mass. It is noted that the period must be converted from hours to seconds for accurate calculations. The conversation highlights common pitfalls in solving the equations, such as misinterpreting the constants and units involved.
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A spy satellite is in circular orbit around Earth. It makes one revolution in 6.04 hours.
(a) How high above Earth's surface is the satellite?
(b) What is the satellite's acceleration?

I really have no idea what to do on this. All of the equations that I have, I cannot solve because I don't have enough info. Anything that anyone can do to get me started would be greatly appreciated.
 
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satellite's centripetal force = gravitational force
mv^2/R = GMm/R^2
v^2 = GM/R
R = GM/v^2
also ...
v = 2pi*R/T

you now have all the necessary data and equations to solve for R.

remember that R is the distance between the satellite's and Earth's respective center of masses, T is the orbital period in seconds, G is the universal gravitation constant, and M is the mass of the earth.
 
So I get the equation narrowed down to R^3=(T^2*G*M)/(2pi^2). But I can't seem to get it to work out to the correct answer? Did i mess something up?
 
So I get the equation narrowed down to R^3=(T^2*G*M)/(2pi^2). But I can't seem to get it to work out to the correct answer? Did i mess something up?

For one, the '2' with the 2pi is squared along with the pi (as its written above, it looks like only the pi is squared), so the demoninator should be 4pi^2. The period T should be converted from 6.04 hours to seconds, and to get R, the cube root of the right hand side of the equation must be computed.
 
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