1.2 Calculate the altitude at which an artificial satellite orbiting in the equatorial plane can be a synchronous satellite (i.e.

can remain above the same spot on the surface of the earth). Answer

Figure 1. A satellite (m) in the equatorial plane of the earth (M) experiences only the gravitational force (arrow) of the earth.

From Figure 1 it can be seen that the gravitational force of the earth on the satellite is the only force on the satellite. It must act as the centripetal force if the satellite is to perform a circular motion. Hence in vector form we have

Fg = Fc
For the magnitude of these vectors Equation (1.1) yields:

(1.1)

Mm = m 2 r r2

(1.2)

where M = the mass of the earth (kg) m = the mass of the satellite (kg) r = the distance between the centres of mass of the satellite and earth (m) G = the gravitational constant (N m2 kg-2) = the angular velocity of the satellite and the earth (s-1) From (1.2) we find for r:

r3 =

GM or 2 GM 6.673 10 11 5.988 10 24 r=3 =3 = 42199 10 3 m = 42199 km 2 5 2 7.292 10

The height above the earths surface is then (see Figure 1):

h = r a = 42199 6370 = 35829 km .

Note that: 1. The value of h is independent of the mass m of the satellite, 2. The values of G, M etc. are from Holton Appendix A. 3. This orbit is called a geostationary orbit and many satellites (eg. Meteosat) are located here.

1.3 An artificial satellite is placed into a natural synchronous orbit above the equator and is attached to the earth below by a wire. A second satellite is attached to the first by a wire of the same length and is placed in orbit directly above the first at the same angular velocity. assuming that the wires have zero mass, calculate the tension in the wires per unit mass of satellite. Answer As usual a good sketch (Figure 2) is >50% of the solution of the problem.

Figure 2. Two satellites (m1 and m2) attached by wires with each other and the earth. Black arrows: gravitational forces, white arrows: tension.

It is not difficult to understand that satellite 2, which is at twice the distance from the earth, needs an extra force (the tension in the wire) to perform a synchronous circular orbit. The necessary centripetal force Fc = m 2 r increases due to the larger value of r (r=a+2h), while the gravitational force decreases. So from Figure 2 we have that the centripetal force of satellite 2 is the sum of the gravitational force and the tension:

Fc = Fg 2 + Ft = F5 + F6
which yields:

(1.3)

m 2 (a + 2h ) = G

Mm

(a + 2h )2

+ Ft .

(1.4)

From Equation (1.4) we can calculate the tension (Ft), assuming m = 1 kg:

Ft = 2 (a + 2h ) G = 7.292 10 5

(a + 2h )2
3

) (6370 + 2 35829) 10
2

6.673 10 11

5.988 10 24 (6370 + 2 35829)2 10 6

= 0.4149 0.0656 = 0.3494 0.35 N

Note that: 1. Applying Newtons third law (action = - reaction) learns that F1 = F3 = F4 = F6 (in magnitude NOT in direction). The tension in both wires is equal. 2. The tensional forces on satellite 1 exactly cancel. 3. Newtons third law also implies that there are gravitational forces from both satellites on the earth. These have been omitted in Figure 2 for clarity.