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⚛️ Physics  ·  Gravitation  ·  NEET & JEE

A geostationary satellite orbits at approximately what height above the Earth surface?

Answer: 36,000 km.

  • A 3,600 km
  • B 36,000 km
  • C 3,60,000 km
  • D 360 km

Correct answer: B. 36,000 km

Explanation: A 24-hour orbit has radius about 42,000 km from the centre, which is roughly 36,000 km above the surface.

Variation of g with Height and Depthgg_surfaceAbove surface: g ∝ 1/r² (falls off curving down)Below surface: g ∝ r (falls off LINEARLY)Earth's surface (r = R)centre (r=0): g=0g is MAXIMUM exactly at the surface - it decreases in both directions, but by different laws

g is maximum at Earth's surface; going up, it falls off as 1/r² (inverse-square); going down, it falls off linearly with depth (since only the mass enclosed within radius r contributes), reaching zero at the centre.

Concept context

Universal gravitation, orbital mechanics, gravitational potential, and escape velocity.

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