In: Physics
A satellite is orbiting the Earth at a distance of 2.31 RE and with a speed of 3.53 km/s. With what speed would the satellite hit the Earth's surface if somehow it suddenly stopped and fell to Earth? Ignore air resistance.
Hello,
Given:
Initial orbiting height of the satellite is

Initial orbital speed of the satellite is

Radius of the earth is

Mass of the earth is

Gravitational constant is

We have to find the speed of the satellite (v2) with which it falls on the surface of the earth.
Solution:
According to the law of conservation of energy,


Cancelled m from both sides

Simplify for v2 as






Substitute the given values in it as



The speed of satellite hit the surface of the earth is 9.138 km/s.
Thanking You!