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The only force acting on a satellite is gravity. The gravity supplies the centripetal force. mv 2
m mE
2r
A geosynchronous satellite stays above the same point of the Earth. If it is above the equator (a) what is its height above the surface, and (b) what is its speed?
Weightlessness is not without gravity. Compare weight of a person on an elevator if (a) elevator is at rest, (b) accelerating upward at 1 g, and (c) accelerating downward at 1 g.
Since a satellite is free falling toward the Earth at the same acceleration as the people inside the satellite. there is no force between the people and the satellite. People on Earth experience "apparent weightlessness" at the peak of a jump.
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