What height do geostationary satellites orbit above the Earths surface?

You are given the following values: Me = 6x1024 kgRe = 6.37x106 mA geostationary satellite appears to an observer on the ground to always be at the same position on the sky. This means its orbit must be circular with a period of T = 24hr. [Strictly geostationary orbits are also equatorial, otherwise the position would oscillate north/south].For a circular orbit the centripetal force is provided by the gravitational force from the Earth (Fg = Fc). The formulae for these forces are:Fg = GMm/(r2)Fc = mw2r (or mv2/r then use v = wr)Equating leads to:GMm/(r2) = mw2r Rearrangement gives:r3 = GM/(w2)Substituting w = 2pi*f = 2pi/T and taking the cube root gives:r = cuberoot( GMT2/ 4pi2)BUT this is the distance of the orbit from the centre of the Earth, for its height above the surface we have to subtract Re.h = r - Re = cuberoot( GMT2 / 4pi2) - ReSubstituting the values given at the start of the question, the value of G, and converting T = 24hr = 86400s gives:3.59x106 m or ~36,000 km.

WM
Answered by Will M. Physics tutor

10610 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A roller coaster has a loop, r = 20m, how fast should it travel so that riders don't fall out?


A ball with radius 10cm is filled with an ideal gas at pressure 2*(10)^5Pa and temperature 300K. The volume of the gas is changed at constant pressure so that the radius of the ball is reduced with 1cm. Find the amount of gas and the new temperature


What is meant by the doppler effect?


A ball of mass m is thrown from the ground at the speed u=10ms^-1 at an angle of 30 degrees. Find the max height, the total flight time and the max distance it travels?Assume g=10ms^-1 and there is no air friction


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