Concept explainers
Surveillance Satellites A surveillance satellite circles Earth at a height of miles above the surface. Suppose that is the distance, in miles, on the surface of Earth that can be observed from the satellite. See the illustration on the following page.
(a) Find an equation that relates the central angle to the height A.
(b) Find an equation that relates the observable distance and .
(c) Find an equation that relates and .
(d) If is to be 2500 miles, how high must the satellite orbit above Earth?
(e) If the satellite orbits at a height of 300 miles, what distance on the surface can be observed?
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