An earth satellite moves in a circular orbit at a speed of 7000m/s?
What is its orbital period?
r = GM/v2
r: distance of the satellite from the center of Earth in m
M is the mass of Earth: 5.974 x 1024
v is the orbital speed: 7000 m/s
r = 6.674x 10-11 x 5.974 x 1024/70002
r = 8137445 meters from the center of the Earth
and : 8137445 – 6378100 = 1749345 meters from the surface of the Earth (Distance)
Calculate the orbital period.
Time = Distance/speed
distance : the circumference of the orbit,
2π x 8137445 = 51129074 meters
Time = (51129074)/7000
Time = 7304 seconds
= 2.02 hours
Leave a Reply