Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 13 - Gravitation - Problems - Page 382: 51a

Answer

The semimajor axis is $~~6640~km$

Work Step by Step

We can find the distance from the center of the Earth to the closest point: $d_1 = 6370~km+180~km = 6550~km$ We can find the distance from the center of the Earth to the farthest point: $d_2 = 6370~km+360~km = 6730~km$ We can find the total distance between the two extreme points: $d = 6550~km+6730~km = 13,280~km$ We can find the semimajor axis: $\frac{d}{2} = \frac{13,280~km}{2} = 6640~km$ The semimajor axis is $~~6640~km$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.