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 383: 61a

Answer

$h = 3.19\times 10^6~m$

Work Step by Step

The gravitational potential energy at the Earth's surface is $U_s = -\frac{GMm}{R}$ The gravitational potential energy at a height $h$ above the Earth's surface is $U_h = -\frac{GMm}{R+h}$ The kinetic energy of a satellite in orbit at a height of $h$ above the Earth's surface is $K_h = \frac{GMm}{2(R+h)}$ We can find $h$: $U_s+K_h = U_h$ $-\frac{GMm}{R}+\frac{GMm}{2(R+h)} = -\frac{GMm}{R+h}$ $\frac{GMm}{2(R+h)} +\frac{GMm}{R+h} = \frac{GMm}{R}$ $\frac{1}{2(R+h)} +\frac{2}{2(R+h)} = \frac{1}{R}$ $\frac{3}{2(R+h)} = \frac{1}{R}$ $2(R+h) = 3R$ $2h = R$ $h = \frac{R}{2}$ $h = \frac{6.37\times 10^6~m}{2}$ $h = 3.19\times 10^6~m$
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