Math Problem Statement

A satellite is orbiting the Earth, and at a certain moment, its position in Cartesian coordinates is (x, y, z) = (5000 km, 12000 km, 7000 km), assuming the origin is at the center of the Earth. The satellite moves in a circular orbit with a constant speed of 1.5 km/s. Find the time it takes for the satellite to complete one orbit around the Earth.

Solution

To find the time it takes for the satellite to complete one orbit, we need to calculate the orbital period. Here are the steps to solve this:


Step 1: Compute the radius of the orbit

The position of the satellite at a given moment is provided as Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z)(x, y, z). The distance of the satellite from the center of the Earth (i.e., the radius of the orbit rr) can be calculated using the 3D distance formula:

r=x2+y2+z2r = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2 + z^2}

Substitute the given values (x,y,z)=(5000,12000,7000)(x, y, z) = (5000, 12000, 7000):

r=50002+120002+70002kmr = \sqrt{5000^2 + 12000^2 + 7000^2} \, \text{km}

r=25000000+144000000+49000000kmr = \sqrt{25000000 + 144000000 + 49000000} \, \text{km}

r=218000000kmr = \sqrt{218000000} \, \text{km}

r14758.3kmr \approx 14758.3 \, \text{km}


Step 2: Calculate the circumference of the orbit

The orbit is circular, so its circumference CC is given by:

C=2πrC = 2\pi r

Substitute r14758.3kmr \approx 14758.3 \, \text{km}:

C2π14758.3C \approx 2 \cdot \pi \cdot 14758.3

C92726.1kmC \approx 92726.1 \, \text{km}


Step 3: Compute the orbital period

The satellite’s speed vv is constant and equal to 1.5km/s1.5 \, \text{km/s}. The orbital period TT is the time it takes to travel one full circumference of the orbit:

T=CvT = \frac{C}{v}

Substitute C92726.1kmC \approx 92726.1 \, \text{km} and v=1.5km/sv = 1.5 \, \text{km/s}:

T=92726.11.5T = \frac{92726.1}{1.5}

T61817.4secondsT \approx 61817.4 \, \text{seconds}


Step 4: Convert the time to hours

To express TT in hours:

T(hours)=T(seconds)3600T \, \text{(hours)} = \frac{T \, \text{(seconds)}}{3600}

T61817.43600T \approx \frac{61817.4}{3600}

T17.17hoursT \approx 17.17 \, \text{hours}


Final Answer:

The satellite takes approximately 17.17 hours to complete one orbit around the Earth.


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Related Questions:

  1. How does the speed of the satellite affect its orbital period?
  2. How would the orbital period change if the satellite were closer to the Earth?
  3. Can this formula be applied to elliptical orbits? Why or why not?
  4. What is the relationship between orbital speed and the radius of the orbit?
  5. How does the gravitational force keep the satellite in orbit?

Tip:

Remember that for circular orbits, the orbital period can also be calculated using Kepler’s third law if the mass of the central object (Earth, in this case) is known.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Circular Motion
3D Distance Calculation
Orbital Mechanics

Formulas

3D Distance Formula: r = √(x^2 + y^2 + z^2)
Circumference of a Circle: C = 2πr
Orbital Period: T = C/v
Time Conversion: T (hours) = T (seconds) / 3600

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Physics or Advanced High School (Grades 11-12)