A satellite is orbiting earth at a distance of 35.0 kilometers. The satellite has a mass of 500 kilograms. What is the force between the planet and the satellite?

F = 4856.32 N

Explanation:

Given,

A satellite is orbiting earth at a distance from Earth surface, h = 35000 m

The mass of the satellite, m = 500 Kg

The radius of the Earth, R = 6.371 x 10⁶ m

The mass of the Earth, M = 5.972 x 10²⁴ Kg

The gravitational constant, G = 6.67408 x 10 ⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻²

The force between the Earth and the satellite is given by the formula

F = GMm / (R+h) ² N

Substituting the values in the above equation

F = (6.67408 x 10 ⁻¹¹ X 5.972 x 10²⁴ X 500) / (6.371 x 10⁶ + 35000) ²

= 4856.32 N

Hence, the force between the planet and the satellite is, F = 4856.32 N