Six artificial satellites complete one circular orbit around a space station in the same amount of time. Each satellite has mass m and radius of orbit L. The satellites fire rockets that provide the force needed to maintain a circular orbit around the space station. The gravitational force is negligible. Rank the net force acting on each satellite from their rockets.
Rank from largest to smallest.
A) m=200 kg and L= 5000m
B) m=400 kg and L=2500m
C)m=100kg and L=2500m
D)m=100kg and L=10000m
E)m=800kg and L=5000m
F)m=300kg and L=7500m
Answer:
Fe > Ff > Fa = Fb = Fd > Fc
4*10^6 N > 2.25*10^6 > 1 *10^6 N = 1 *10^6 N = 1 *10^6 N > 0.25*10^6 N