- #1
smpolisetti
- 10
- 0
This problem is driving me crazy!
How far from the center of the Earth (in km) is the center of mass of the Earth + satellite system if the satellite has a mass of 2970 kg and is in orbit 42400 km above the surface of the Earth. The mass of the Earth is 5.98*10^24 and the radius of the Earth is 6370
So:
Mass of earth: 5.98*10^24 kg
Mass of satellite: 2960 kg
Distance of satellite from surface of the earth: 42400
Radius of earth: 6370
Center of mass = (x1m1 + x2m2)/ (m1+m2)
m= mass
x= distance
Here was my attempt
I set up center of mass = [(0km (5.98*10^24)) + (2970kg * 42400km) ] / ((5.98*10^24)+2970)
From that I got 2.106*10-17 km
Which I then added to the radius of the Earth to get 6370 km
But that's wrong, what was my mistake?
Homework Statement
How far from the center of the Earth (in km) is the center of mass of the Earth + satellite system if the satellite has a mass of 2970 kg and is in orbit 42400 km above the surface of the Earth. The mass of the Earth is 5.98*10^24 and the radius of the Earth is 6370
So:
Mass of earth: 5.98*10^24 kg
Mass of satellite: 2960 kg
Distance of satellite from surface of the earth: 42400
Radius of earth: 6370
Homework Equations
Center of mass = (x1m1 + x2m2)/ (m1+m2)
m= mass
x= distance
The Attempt at a Solution
Here was my attempt
I set up center of mass = [(0km (5.98*10^24)) + (2970kg * 42400km) ] / ((5.98*10^24)+2970)
From that I got 2.106*10-17 km
Which I then added to the radius of the Earth to get 6370 km
But that's wrong, what was my mistake?