Tuesday 11 September 2012

PROBLEM:1.227

An artificial satellite of the Moon revolves in a circular orbit whose radius exceeds the radius of the Moon r) times. In the process of motion the satellite experiences a slight resistance due to cosmic dust. Assuming the resistance force to depend on the velocity of the satellite as F = av2, where a is a constant, find how long the satellite will stay in orbit until it falls onto the Moon’s surface.