Satellite Motion: Speed & Centripetal Accel.

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To determine the speed of a satellite in a circular orbit 690 km above Earth, the radius must be calculated by adding Earth's radius (approximately 6371 km) to the altitude, resulting in a total radius of about 7061 km or 7061000 m. The orbital period of 98.4 minutes converts to 5904 seconds. The speed can be calculated using the formula for circular motion, but initial attempts yielded incorrect results. Additionally, the centripetal acceleration can be derived from the speed and radius, but clarity on the calculations is needed to resolve confusion. Understanding the correct radius from the center of the Earth is crucial for accurate calculations.
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An Earth satellite moves in a circular orbit 690 km above the Earth's surface. The period of the motion is 98.4 min.
(a) What is the speed of the satellite?
in m/s
(b) What is the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the satellite?
 
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first i converted to meters...radius now equals 690000m. and converted 98.4 min to 5904 sec.
2pi 690000/ 111.667
i plugged that into the answer and was told that i had done it wrong.
i also came up wit 734 and 34 I am extremely confused
 
tjcreamer9 said:
first i converted to meters...radius now equals 690000m. and converted 98.4 min to 5904 sec.
2pi 690000/ 111.667
i plugged that into the answer and was told that i had done it wrong.
i also came up wit 734 and 34 I am extremely confused

The satellite is 690 km above the surface of the earth. What is its distance from the centre of the earth? That's what the radius of the orbit is.
 

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