Question

If a satellite weighs 321 lb. on the earth's surface (R = 4,000 miles), how much does it weigh 12,000 miles above the surface? (Use only one significant digit in the answer)

Answers:
>20 lb
>40 lb
>80 lb
>100 lb

Answer 1

The gravitational force between the Earth and the satellite (its "weight") is inversely proportional to the distance between the centers of both objects.

On the surface, their centers are separated by 1 Earth radius.

12,000 miles above the surface, they're separated by 4 Earth radiii.

(4/1) = 4

So after the move, the satellite's weight is (1/4²) = 1/16 of its surface weight.

(321 lb) / (16) = (20 and a hair) lb

The correct choice from the given list is " >20 lb " .