A satellite of mass 4500 kg orbits the Earth in a circular orbit of radius of 7.2 * 106 m (this is above the Earth's atmosphere). The mass of the Earth is 6 * 1024 kg. What is the speed of the satellite?

7.457 * 10³ m/s

Explanation:

Parameters given:

Mass of earth, M = 6 * 10^24 kg

Radius of orbit, R = 7.2 * 10^6 m

Orbital velocity is given as:

v = √ (GM/R)

Where G = gravitational constant

v = √ (6.673 * 10^ (-11) * 6 * 10^24) / (7.2 * 10^6)

v = √ (5.561 * 10^7)

v = 7.457 * 10³ m/s