The mass of the Earth is 6.0x10^24 kg and its radius is 6.4x10^6m, calculate the orbital speed of the moon around the earth, the orbit of the moon is a circle of approximate radius of 60R where R is the radius of the earth and a mass m.

M=6.0x1024kg create info list of information given in the question converting all values to SI unitsR=6.4x106mF=GMm/r2 F=mv2/r write down any necessary equations Force due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and the earth is equal to the centripetal force experienced by the moon due to the earth.equate the two equations and rearrange for vmv2/r = GMm/r2v=sqrt(GM/r) G=Gravitational Constant 6.67x10-11Plug in the numerical values on the calculatorv=1020.87 calculate to appropriate number of sig figs and add unitsv=1000ms-1

ED
Answered by Emma D. Physics tutor

7832 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A conical pendulum is a mass suspended from a point that traces out a horizontal circle. By balancing the weight with the tension in the string, determine the speed of the bob.


Describe the photoelectric effect and what it tells us about the properties of light .


Why does a single slit diffraction pattern occur?


In one second a mass of 210 kg of air enters at A. The speed of this mass of air increases by 570 m s–1 as it passes through the engine. Calculate the force that the air exerts on the engine.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning