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-   -   Physics question based on Satellite motion (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=633542)

  • Feb 5, 2012, 08:50 PM
    sandraquah
    Physics question based on Satellite motion
    A satellite is in a geosynchronous orbit around the Earth if its period of rotation is the same as that of the Earth, i.e. 24h. Such a satellite is called a geostationary satellite. Venus has a mass of 4.87x10^24kg and radius of 6.05x10^6m. The length of a day on Venus is 2.10x10^7s. For a satellite to be in a synchronous orbit around Venus, calculate:
    1. the orbital radius of the satellite
    2. its orbital speed
    3. its orbital acceleration

    the given answer:
    1. 1.54x10^9m
    2. 4.60x10^2m/s
    3. 1.37x10^-4 m/s2
  • Feb 6, 2012, 08:03 AM
    ebaines
    You have the answers - so what do you need to know? If it's how to derive the answers, then start with force due to gravity = centripedal force for the circular orbit:



    where

    Note that m (the mass of the satellite) cancels out. Rearrange and solve for R.

    Then orbital speed and radial acceleration for circular motion are found using:


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