A space probe moving at 3.2km/s is in circular orbit about a spherical planet.

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jimmy

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T=110mins. Calculate r and...? A space probe moving at 3.2km/s is in circular orbit about a spherical planet. T=110mins.
Calculate:

(A) the radius of orbit
(B) the centripetal acceleration
(C) the mass of the planet

I think i can do (A) and (B) but i can't think of a formula to find the mass.. Help please and show your working :)
 
1) Centripital Force,F = mv^2/r = m*aaccleration,f...................1)
2)Velocity (Linear)= omega*r
or, 3.2*1000m/sec =( 360 deg /6600)*r
or, r=(3.2*1000 *6600)/360
r=58.6 km...........................................a)

2) from 1),

m*f = mv^2/r
or, f= v^2/r = (3.2)^2/ 58.6 = .1747 Km/s^2 = 174.7 m/s^2............b)

or, mv^2/r= m .174.7=gh tan theta...............................c)
 
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