Homework Help: Physics

Posted by StressedStudent on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 2:28am.

A satellite sitting on the ground has a weight of 5000 N. When it is placed in orbit 500 km above the surface of the Earth (which has a radius of 6380 km), which choice best describes its weight?

Very small but slightly greater than zero.

Zero.

Still 5000 N.

Slightly less than 5000 N.

Physics - drwls, Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 2:37am
The satellite's weight is inversely proportional to the distance from the center of the Earth. Using that fact, try to figure out the correct answer.

The satellite is not weightless, although the astronauts inside may think so.

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