Physics education research, electronic materials, and the musings of Christopher Moore, Ph.D.
Physics education research, electronic materials, and the musings of Christopher Moore, Ph.D.
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Communication satellites appear to "hover" over one point on the Earth's equator. A satellite that appears to remain stationary as the earth rotates is said to be in a geostationary orbit. What is the radius of the orbit of such a satellite? (Mass of the Earth= 5.98 X 10^24 kg, Gravitation Constant= 6.67 X 10^-11 )
Anybody know how to get this one? 
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I am sure it involves the use of this equation somehow...but I am just stuck. F= G X (m1 X m2) / (r2) Sorry not good at subscripts or supperscripts.
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Gravitational force
F=- G ( M_s M_e) /r^2
Centrifugal force
F= M_s (r omega)^2 /r
Two force are same and different direction.
G(M_s M_e)/r^2 =M_s (r omega)^2 /r
r
(G M_e)/ omega^2)^(1/3)
= ( (6.67X 10^-11 5.98X10^24) / (2 X Pi / (24 X 3600s))^2 )^ (1/3)
= ? m
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