A satellite has a mass of 5950 kg and is in a circular orbit 4.6 multiplied by 105 m above the surface of a planet. The period of the orbit is two hours. The radius of the planet is 4.10 multiplied by 106 m. What is the true weight of the satellite when it is at rest on the planet's surface?

Question

anonymous · Answer

$$Gravity=G* (M m/r^2)$$

Where G is the gravitational constant (easily found online). M is the "big mass" (Earth) and m is the "small mass" (satellite). Look up the mass of the earth, you have how high above the planet the satellite is, add that to the regular radius of the earth and solve for the actual mass of the satellite.