What is the difference in masses of planets A and B?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the difference in masses between two planets based on the weight difference of a robot on each planet. The problem involves gravitational forces and the application of Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the gravitational force equation and the values used, including the gravitational constant and the mass of the robot. There are questions about the correctness of calculations and the interpretation of results.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed the correctness of the original poster's calculations, while others have noted discrepancies in the values used. There is a general agreement on the approach, but no explicit consensus on the final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention issues with calculator inputs and the need for clarity on units, specifically that the final answer should be in kilograms. There is also a reference to constraints related to submission limits on a platform called GradePlus.

Serena_Greene
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I think I have done this problem correctly,

The mass of a robot is 6680 kg. This robot weighs 3070 N more on planet A than it does on planet B. Both planets have the same radius of 4.00 x 10^8. What is the difference Ma - Mb in the masses of these plantes?

I used this equation F = G * (m1*m2)/(r^2)
F = 3070 N
m1 = robot
mb = extra mass of planet A
r = 4.00 x 10^8

3070 = 9.673 x 10^-11 * 6680m2/ (4.00 x 10^8)^2
3070 = (2.786 x 10^-24)m
1.1019 x 10^27 = m

Is this correct or do I have it totally wrong?

-Serena
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I got a different answer, you seem to have typed it wrong into your calculator, the equation's the same as mine.


EDIT: Never mind. I had used the gravitational constant you typed, which was wrong :). I got the same answer now.
 
Last edited:
I tried it, though not using your technique, and your answer seems correct. Same answer from two different methods is usually a good sign.
 
Although your answer should be in kg, not m.
 
Thanks!

I just wanted to make sure before I typed it into GradePlus. It was correct (I had already used up a try as I couldn't get the entire number in, but found out I could use Exponents) I asked my Physic teacher if I did the problem correctly and he started to do the problem, and he couldn't do the problem.

-Serena
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K