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pinky2468
Sep18-04, 12:30 PM
I know this is easy, but for some reason I am getting stuck!
The mass of a robot is 5450kg. This robot weighs 3620N more on Planet A than on Planet B. Both planets have a radius of 1.33^7. What is the difference Ma-Mb in the masses of these planets.
I think that I need to set the gravitaional force on A(minus 3620) equal to gravitaional force on B. I know teh G and the r's are the same. I am confused on how to put it into the formula and figure out what I am looking for?

arildno
Sep18-04, 12:41 PM
Hint:
Let the weight of planet A be given by W_{A}, while the mass of planet A by m_{A} (similarly for planet B; mass of robot:m_{R}
We then have, for example:
W_{B}=\frac{Gm_{B}m_{R}}{r^{2}}
which you may rewrite as:
m_{B}=\frac{r^{2}}{Gm_{R}}W_{B}

pinky2468
Sep18-04, 12:52 PM
I see where you are going, but what are you using for W of planet A or B. We only know the weight and mass of the robot. Are you saying to do each planet seperately and then subtract the answers?

arildno
Sep18-04, 12:55 PM
You do know the weight difference, don't you?

arildno
Sep18-04, 12:57 PM
Oh, I'm sorry, I just saw my mistake:
I meant "Weight of robot on planet A" and so on..
Shame on me..
:redface: