Spaceship

The spaceship of an unknown lifeform materialises (arrives in our universe from a

parallel universe) at a point 1000 km above the Earth’s surface.

a) What acceleration does it experience if it is made of ordinary matter?

Earth Radius = 6.37 x 106m

Mass of the Earth = 5.98 x 1024kg

Gravitational constant = 6.673 x 10-11Nm2/kg2

b) The captain of the spaceship wants it to remain in orbit around the Earth at

this height and fires the rockets to give the spaceship an orbital velocity. What

is the magnitude of this velocity?

c) What is the total energy of the spaceship?

Mass of the spaceship = 120,000kg

What is the question asking you to find in section a)?

It is asking you to find

What is the physics involved in the situation?

In the examination this can also be done in your head but drawing a diagram would probably

be a good idea. Again please write the physics out fully here so we can clarify the process.

What formulae are used to represent the physics?

Do the maths to get the solution.