Gravitational force, Speed, and period of a Satellite.

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The discussion focuses on calculating the gravitational force, speed, and orbital period of a satellite with a mass of 300 kg at a height of 5.00 X 10^7 m above Earth's surface. The gravitational force was calculated to be 38 N, while the period was found to be 37 hours and the speed was calculated as 9,572,517 m/h. Participants expressed concern that the speed and period values seemed excessively large, particularly noting that a broadcasting satellite typically has a 24-hour period at a distance of 3.6 X 10^7 m. Clarifications were made regarding unit conversions, emphasizing the importance of using seconds for the period calculation. The discussion also raised questions about the relevance of the satellite's mass in the period equation.
Imuell1
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Homework Statement


A satellite that has a mass of 300 kg moves in a circular orbit 5.00 X 107 m above Earth's surface. (a) What is the gravitational force on the satellite? (b) What is the speed of the satellite? (c) What is the period of the satellite?



Homework Equations


Fg= GMEm/(r+rE
T2= [4pi2/G(ME+m)]*(r+rE)3


The Attempt at a Solution


Fg= 38N
T=37 hours
V=9572517 m/h

I think the gravitational force might be right but the speed and period seem to be ridiculously too large.
 
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37 is not so much :D
a broadcasting satellite ,which has period of 24 hours around earth(like the Earth around it self!) has a distance of 3.6*10^7 meters from the surface of the Earth AFAIK.
But didnt get the same V as You did,did You write T as seconds?(37*60*60
EDIT1:
Oh I did, didn't see Your units ,You better solve it with seconds, and not m/h
EDIT2:
How did the mass of the satellite get to the equation of period?
 
Last edited:
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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