What Is the Magnitude of Satellite Acceleration Due to Gravity?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration due to gravity for synchronous communications satellites orbiting 3.59 x 10^7 m above the Earth's surface. The gravitational force is derived using the formula F = (G*m1*m2)/(r^2), with the correct parameters leading to an acceleration of 0.233 m/s². A key point highlighted is that the distance (r) in Newton's law of gravity should be measured from the Earth's center, not from the surface. An initial miscalculation resulted in an incorrect value of 0.309 m/s². The correction emphasizes the importance of accurately determining the radius in gravitational calculations.
Cursed
Messages
38
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Synchronus communications satellites are placed in a circular orbit that is 3.59 x 107 m above the Earth's surface. What is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity at this distance?

F=?
G=6.67259 x 10-11 N*m2/kg2
ME (Mass of Earth)= 5.98 x 1024 kg
r = 3.59 x107m

Homework Equations



F = (G*m1*m2)/(r2)
F = MA

The Attempt at a Solution



1) F = G * (ME2/r2) = 1.8514...N
2)F = MA --> (1.8514...N) = (5.98 x 1024)A
3) A = 0.309 m/s2

CORRECT ANSWER: 0.233 m/s2
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In Newton's law of gravity, r is the distance from the center of the earth, not the distance from the surface.
 
Doc Al said:
In Newton's law of gravity, r is the distance from the center of the earth, not the distance from the surface.

Ah, there's the problem. :P

Thanks. :D
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Earth's Acceleration Toward the Sun
Replies
5
Views
7K
Centripetal Acceleration of Satellite
Replies
7
Views
2K
Change in momentum for a satellite in circular orbit
Replies
6
Views
3K
Centrifugal Force- Finding Speed of Satellite
Replies
1
Views
3K
What was the speed of Sputnik I at its perigee?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Find the speed of a satellite at a distance R from Earth
Replies
39
Views
4K
Gravitation and Gravitational Fields
Replies
4
Views
1K
Satellite experiencing certain gravitational force - problem
Replies
1
Views
3K
Magnitude of acceleration due to gravity
Replies
3
Views
7K
How do you find the magnitude of acceleration?
Replies
24
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top