Problem 9-76 Geosynchronous orbit - B
Most telecommunications satellites are in geosynchronous orbits above the earth, that is, they have periods of 24h. As a result, since the earth turns on its axis once in 24h and each satellite goes around the earth once in 24h, any individual satellite stays positioned above a particular point on the earth. (a) How far above the earth's surface must a geosynchronous satellite be? The earth's mass and average radius are 5.98×1024kg and 6368km. (b) What is the satellite's speed?
Accumulated Solution
Correct.
The gravitational attraction between the earth and the satellite is given by:
(A) F=GmM/r
(B) F=GmM/r2
(C) F=GmMr2