Law Of Universal Gravition (am I Right?)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating gravitational acceleration in two contexts: the surface gravity of a neutron star with a mass five times that of the sun and the acceleration of gravity at an altitude of 250 km above the Earth's surface. Participants are exploring the application of gravitational principles and equations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the law of universal gravitation to estimate surface gravity for a neutron star and to calculate gravitational acceleration at a specific altitude. Some express confusion about the values to use in their calculations, while others suggest reconsidering the interpretation of the problem's parameters.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct values to use in the calculations, with some participants providing guidance on the relationship between mass, radius, and gravitational acceleration. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being discussed, particularly regarding the mass of the neutron star.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the mass of the neutron star is indirectly provided in the problem statement, leading to some confusion about how to extract and use this information in their calculations.

heelp
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A certain neutron star has five times the mass of our sun packed into a sphere about 10km in radius. estimate the surface gravity on this monster.

= (5)(1.99 *10^30 =m
10km =r
g = G mass of earth/r^2 = 6.67* 10^ -11 9.95* 10^30/10^2 = 6.64m/s
Is that the right answer?



Calculate the acceleration of gravity 250km above the Earth's surface in terms of g

ar = v^2/r I'm really stuck I would I go about solving this problem? your help will be appreciated.
 
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Calculate the acceleration of gravity 250km above the Earth's surface in terms of g

The acceleration of gravity is dependent upon the mass of the Earth and the distance (d) that an object is from the center of the earth. Think a little about the inverse square law.
 
A certain neutron star has five times the mass of our sun packed into a sphere about 10km in radius. estimate the surface gravity on this monster.

The value of g on any other planet can be calculated from the mass of the planet and the radius of the planet. The g on the surface would be inversely proportional to the square of the radius and proportional to the Mass of the planet times the gravitational constant.

g = G mass of earth/r^2 = 6.67* 10^ -11 9.95* 10^30/10^2 = 6.64m/s
There was no need to use the mass of the earth. The question is asking you for the g of a star that's 5X the mass of our sun. The equation that you are using is right. You just inserted the wrong values.
 
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I should enter the mass off the star? it wan't given
 
heelp said:
I should enter the mass off the star? it wan't given
Of course it was. The question says "A certain neutron star has five times the mass of our sun". The mass is indirectly stated. Just loook up the mass of the sun then times it by 5 that's all. Common you can do it :wink:
 
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