Question

A satellite has a mass of 130 kg and is located at 1.97 ✕ 106 m above the surface of Earth.

(a) What is the potential energy associated with the satellite at this location?

-1.918*10**9 Incorrect: Your answer is incorrect. Your response differs from the correct answer by more than 10%. Double check your calculations. J

(b) What is the magnitude of the gravitational force on the satellite? N

Answer 1

a)

R = Radius of earth = 6.37 x 10⁶ m

h = height above the surface = 1.97 x 10⁶ m

m = mass of satellite = 130 kg

M = mass of earth = 5.98 x 10²⁴ kg

Potential energy associated with satellite is given as

U = - GMm/(R + h)

U = - (6.67 x 10^-11) (5.98 x 10²⁴) (130)/((6.37 x 10⁶) + (1.97 x 10⁶))

U = - 6.22 x 10⁹ J

b)

magnitude of Gravitational force on the satellite is given as

F = GMm/(R + h)²

F = (6.67 x 10^-11) (5.98 x 10²⁴) (130)/((6.37 x 10⁶) + (1.97 x 10⁶))²

F = 745.5 N