A communications satellite with a mass of 340 kg is in a circular orbit about th

Question

A communications satellite with a mass of 340 kg is in a circular orbit about the Earth. Theradius of the orbit is 43,000 km asmeasured from the center of the Earth. (a) Calculate the weight of the satellite onthe surface of the Earth.
1 kN
(b) Calculate the gravitational force exerted on the satellite bythe Earth when it is in orbit.
2 kN (a) Calculate the weight of the satellite onthe surface of the Earth.
1 kN
(b) Calculate the gravitational force exerted on the satellite bythe Earth when it is in orbit.
2 kN

Explanation / Answer

(a). the weight of the satellite on the surface of the Earthis W = m g                                                                                             = 340 kg * 9.8 m / s ^ 2                                                                                             = 3332 N                                                                                             = 3.332 kN (b). the gravitational force exerted on the satellite by theEarth when it is in orbit is F = GMm / r ^ 2 where G = Gravitational constant = 6.67 * 10 ^ -11 N m ^2 / kg ^ 2            M= mass of earth = 5.98 * 10 ^ 24 kg            r= orbital radius = 43000 km = 43000000 m substitue values weget   F = 73.3447 N                                        = 0.0733447 k N

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