Period at Earth's SurfaceHardQuestion 30735
Question
A satellite grazes Earth's surface (h ≈ 0). Its orbital period is approximately: (g = 10, R = 6.4×10⁶ m)
- A5060 s ≈ 84 minCorrect
- B24 hours
- C1 hour
- D6 hours
Correct answer
5060 s ≈ 84 min
Explanation
T = 2π√(R/g) = 2π√(6.4×10⁶/10) = 2π×800 = 5027 s ≈ 84 min. All low Earth orbital periods are approximately 90 minutes.