An object released from a point a few feet above the Earth at the equator falls to the Earth. From this simple observation, ignoring friction, one can deduce that the orbital period (time to complete an orbit) for a satellite skimming around the surface of the Earth is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A satellite skimming the Earth's surface would have an orbital period of about 84 minutes, which is less than a day. This is because the gravitational force provides the necessary centripetal force for the satellite's circular motion, and the speed required for such an orbit is much higher than the speed of Earth's rotation.

An Object Released from a Point a Few Feet Above