# Velocity of satellite

1. Jan 11, 2009

### Maiia

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A satellite is in a circular orbit about the Earth at a distance of one Earth radius above the surface. What is the velocity of the satellite?

3. The attempt at a solution
I assumed the orbital radius was twice the radius of the earth so
GMearth/r= velocity
but that leaves me with a very small velocity...

2. Jan 11, 2009

### G01

Can you show your answer and your work? If you do have a mistake, I can't find it without seeing both.

3. Jan 11, 2009

### Maiia

(GMearth/r)^.5= v
I plugged in (6.67*10^-11(5.98*10^24)/6.37*10^6)6.5= 7913.048m/s

4. Jan 11, 2009

### G01

Why are you multiplying by 6.5? Also, you never doubled the radius when you plugged in the numbers. According the the formula you give, which is correct, the velocity should be:

$$v=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{2r_e}}$$

Plugging in the numbers you give, I get an answer around 5000m/s.

5. Jan 11, 2009

### Maiia

why do you double the radius?

6. Jan 11, 2009

### G01

You said it yourself before. The orbital radius is twice the radius of Earth. In your formula, you used the radius of Earth, not double the radius of Earth.