Answer 4_8_4

A satellite is 4000 km above the Earth's surface.  What is the acceleration due to gravity at this point?  

Mass of Earth = 6.0 × 1024 kg     

                                                                          

Use g = -GM

                  r2  

4000 km = 4 × 106 m Þ r = 4 × 106 m + 6.37 ´ 106 m = 10.37 × 106 m (P)

g = - 6.67 ´ 10 –11 Nm2 kg-2 × 6.0 × 1024 kg (P)

                              (10.37 × 106 m)2

 

g = - 3.72 m/s2 (P)

 

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