## Homework Statement

The International Space Station (ISS) circles the earth at an altitude of 347 km.
What is the period of the orbit of the ISS expressed in minutes?
G=6.67x10^-11 N * m^2 /kg^2
M(Earth)=5.98*10^24 kg

## Homework Equations

T^2/R^3 = (4Pi^2)/(GM)
So: T^2= Sqrt(((4Pi^2)/(GM))*(r^3))

## The Attempt at a Solution

Alright, so I've been plugging in these numbers for awhile, and I keep getting the wrong answer: 1.1 seconds. The right answer is 91.3 min.
T is in seconds when initially calculated, right? I'm still doing something wrong, but I'm hoping to just double check on that.

cepheid
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
Welcome to PF,

## Homework Statement

The International Space Station (ISS) circles the earth at an altitude of 347 km.
What is the period of the orbit of the ISS expressed in minutes?
G=6.67x10^-11 N * m^2 /kg^2
M(Earth)=5.98*10^24 kg

## Homework Equations

T^2/R^3 = (4Pi^2)/(GM)
So: T^2= Sqrt(((4Pi^2)/(GM))*(r^3))

## The Attempt at a Solution

Alright, so I've been plugging in these numbers for awhile, and I keep getting the wrong answer: 1.1 seconds. The right answer is 91.3 min.
T is in seconds when initially calculated, right? I'm still doing something wrong, but I'm hoping to just double check on that.

I'm not sure what numbers you're plugging in, but keep in mind that the 'R' in Newton's law of gravitation is the distance between the centres of mass of the two bodies. What is the distance between the ISS and the centre of mass of the Earth? Hint: it is not 347 km.

Ahh, 347000 m + 6.37x10^6 m! Perfect, thanks!
The text passage contains a physics problem related to calculating the period of the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) around the Earth. The problem is presented in a homework format, including the question, relevant equations, and an attempt at a solution. The correct answer is provided, and the student's mistake is identified and corrected in the discussion.
single_question_with_answer
Given a text passage, determine:
    1. If it contains a mathematical question (including word problems or calculations)
    2. If an answer to that mathematical question is provided in the text

First, describe the content structure you found in 1-2 sentences.

Then provide your analysis in the following format:
TYPE: <one of the following values>
- NO_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS_WITH_ANSWERS
system
## Homework Statement

The International Space Station (ISS) circles the earth at an altitude of 347 km.
What is the period of the orbit of the ISS expressed in minutes?
G=6.67x10^-11 N * m^2 /kg^2
M(Earth)=5.98*10^24 kg

## Homework Equations

T^2/R^3 = (4Pi^2)/(GM)
So: T^2= Sqrt(((4Pi^2)/(GM))*(r^3))

## The Attempt at a Solution

Alright, so I've been plugging in these numbers for awhile, and I keep getting the wrong answer: 1.1 seconds. The right answer is 91.3 min.
T is in seconds when initially calculated, right? I'm still doing something wrong, but I'm hoping to just double check on that.

cepheid
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
Welcome to PF,

## Homework Statement

The International Space Station (ISS) circles the earth at an altitude of 347 km.
What is the period of the orbit of the ISS expressed in minutes?
G=6.67x10^-11 N * m^2 /kg^2
M(Earth)=5.98*10^24 kg

## Homework Equations

T^2/R^3 = (4Pi^2)/(GM)
So: T^2= Sqrt(((4Pi^2)/(GM))*(r^3))

## The Attempt at a Solution

Alright, so I've been plugging in these numbers for awhile, and I keep getting the wrong answer: 1.1 seconds. The right answer is 91.3 min.
T is in seconds when initially calculated, right? I'm still doing something wrong, but I'm hoping to just double check on that.

I'm not sure what numbers you're plugging in, but keep in mind that the 'R' in Newton's law of gravitation is the distance between the centres of mass of the two bodies. What is the distance between the ISS and the centre of mass of the Earth? Hint: it is not 347 km.

Ahh, 347000 m + 6.37x10^6 m! Perfect, thanks!
user
The text passage contains a physics problem related to calculating the period of the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) around the Earth. The problem is presented in a homework format, including the question, relevant equations, and an attempt at a solution. The correct answer is provided, and the student's mistake is identified and corrected in the discussion.

TYPE: SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER