Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-b-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2010/paper-1/section-a/5/solution
Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge 2010 Paper 1 Section A 5 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
Use a circular Kepler orbit to eliminate the terrestrial gravitational parameter: is constant for both satellites. The reference orbital radius is , measured from Earth's centre. A geostationary orbit is circular, equatorial and prograde, with the sidereal rotation period, approximately . ThusIts altitude is about above the stated surface. The approximate low-orbit input sets the accuracy; replacing it by a modern measured gravitational parameter would answer a different numerical estimate. A -hour approximation changes the radius by less than . Matching the period alone would not make an inclined or eccentric orbit stationary above one point.
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