Question

What is the gravitational force between a satellite that has a mass 2500 kg and the earth while the satellite is 500 miles above the surface of the earth? answer in Newtons

Answer 1

Mass of satellite = m = 2500 kg

Mass of Earth = M = 5.972 x 10²⁴ kg

Radius of Earth = r = 6.371 x 10⁶ m

Altitude of satellite from surface of the earth = h = 500 miles = 8.04 x 10⁵ m

Distance of satellite from the center of the Earth = R

R = r + h

R = 6.371 x 10⁶ + 8.04 x 10⁵

R = 7.175 x 10⁶ m

Gravitational constant = G = 6.674 x 10^-11 m³kg^-1s^-2

Gravitational force between the satellite and the Earth = F

F = 19355.4 N

The gravitational force between the satellite and the Earth is 19355.4 N.