Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    nudgeme's Avatar
    nudgeme Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 17, 2012, 03:03 PM
    Potential Gravitational Energy
    A satellite orbits the sun (mass Ms = 1.99x10^30 kg) with a period of 1 day. What is the radius of its orbit?


    Please Help!

    Ans) 2.9 x10^6 km
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
    Expert
    		  
    #2

    Apr 18, 2012, 05:46 AM
    The following derivation of the formula for orbital mechanics is probably in your text book:
    From Newton's law of gravity:

    F = GMm/r^2

    From Newton's 3rd law:

    F = ma

    For an object in circular motion its acceleration is w^2r (where w = "omega" = rotational velocity in radians/second).

    Set them equal:

    GMm/r^2 = mw^2r

    Rearrange:

    GM = w^2r^3

    You now need to convert the orbital period of 1 day into radians/second, and solve for r. Post back if you still have difficulties.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

About potential energy [ 1 Answers ]

If I want to calculate the potential energy at the earth's center.. what's the rule?

Kinetic energy and Potential energy [ 25 Answers ]

Vehicle with a weight 2.8 ton Slowing from 100 km/h to 50Kkm/h how much energy can was generate from this Slowing. (if we Ignore form friction ) and to which Height this energy was can Climb up the Vehicle Up the hill I convert the ton to Kg is gave me 2800Kg and the km/h to meter per second ...

Importance of Kinetic and potential energy in energy reactivation [ 0 Answers ]

What's the importance of kinetic and potential energy in energy reactivation

Explain with the revelance, the importance of Kinetic and potential energy in energy [ 1 Answers ]

Explain with the relevance, the importance of kinetic and potential energy in energy reactivation

Potential Energy- Bonding Energy [ 1 Answers ]

Question: The net potential energy between two ions (e.g. Na+ andCl-) can be Represented as follows: EN =EA+ER = -A/r +B/rn (a) Calculate the bonding energy E0 in terms of the A, B, and n ...

View more questions Search