The period of a hypothetical Earth satellite orbiting at sea level wou...
The period of an object in circular motion is the time it takes to complete one full revolution or orbit. In the case of a satellite orbiting the Earth, the period is the time it takes for the satellite to complete one full orbit around the Earth.
The period of a satellite at sea level is given as 80 minutes. This means that it takes 80 minutes for the satellite to complete one full orbit around the Earth.
To find the radius of a synchronous satellite orbit, we need to first understand what a synchronous satellite is. A synchronous satellite is a satellite that orbits the Earth at the same rate as the Earth rotates on its axis. This means that the satellite always remains above the same point on the Earth's surface.
The period of a synchronous satellite is 24 hours, which is the same as the time it takes for the Earth to complete one full rotation.
Now, let's find the value of x, which represents the radius of a synchronous satellite orbit in terms of the Earth's radius, Re.
- The period of a satellite is related to its orbital radius by Kepler's third law of planetary motion, which states that the square of the period of an object in orbit is proportional to the cube of its orbital radius.
- Mathematically, this relationship can be expressed as T^2 = k * r^3, where T is the period, r is the orbital radius, and k is a constant.
- We can use this relationship to find the value of x by setting up a ratio of the periods of the two satellites.
- Since we are given the period of the satellite at sea level as 80 minutes and the period of the synchronous satellite as 24 hours, we can write:
(80 minutes)^2 = k * (Re)^3
(24 hours)^2 = k * (xR)^3
- Now, we can solve for x by taking the ratio of the two equations:
(24 hours)^2 / (80 minutes)^2 = (xR)^3 / (Re)^3
(24^2)/(80^2) = x^3
x^3 = (24^2)/(80^2)
x = (24^2)/(80^2)^(1/3)
- Evaluating this expression, we find that x is approximately equal to 2.26.
Therefore, the value of x, representing the radius of a synchronous satellite orbit in terms of the Earth's radius, Re, is approximately 2.26.