Finding orbital speed and period for astronauts around the moon

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
5 replies · 2K views
XodoX
Messages
195
Reaction score
0
Hey guys, I got the following problem.


Whenever two Apollo astronauts were on the surface of the moon, a third astronaut orbited the moon. Assume the orbit to be circular and 100km above the surface of the moon, where the acceleration due to gravity is 1.52 m/s. The radius of the moon is 1.70 x 106. Determine the astronauts orbital speed and the period of the orbit.

It seems east, btu I still have no idea how to get started on this one:frown:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What equations do you know that could give you a starting point?

The Bob
 
None. got all m or T in it, so thatös not going to work.
 
What is the equation Newton's second law in circular motion?

The Bob
 
Thats a= v2/r.

You mean v= square root of a * r ? Ok, I didn't think of that then. But what about the period?
 
Well that is answered for you in the question:
Assume the orbit to be circular [...]

This enough of a hint?

The Bob