An Earth Satellite An Earth satellite moves in a circular orbit 640 km above Earth's surface wi

step 1 We've got a satellite with a circular orbit 640 kilometers. That's 640 ,000 meters. I'm going to

An Earth Satellite An Earth satellite moves in a circular...

An Earth Satellite An Earth satellite moves in a circular orbit $640 \mathrm{~km}$ above Earth's surface with a period of $98.0 \mathrm{~min}$. What are
(a) the speed and (b) the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the satellite?

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Key Concepts

Circular Motion

Circular motion refers to the movement of an object along a circular path. In such motion, even if the object maintains a constant speed, its velocity is continually changing due to the continuous change in direction. This requires a constant inward (centripetal) force and acceleration to keep the object moving in the circle.

Orbital Speed

Orbital speed is the constant speed at which an object must travel to remain in a stable circular orbit around a planet or other massive body. It can be determined by dividing the orbit's circumference by the orbital period. This balance between speed and the gravitational pull ensures that the object neither spirals into the central body nor escapes into space.

Centripetal Acceleration

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration directed toward the center of a circular path that is necessary to keep an object moving along that path. It is calculated using the formula a = v²/r, where v is the orbital speed and r is the radius of the orbit. This inward acceleration is crucial for maintaining circular motion as it continuously changes the direction of the object's velocity.

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