- #1
harelo
- 26
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[SOLVED] Gravitational field between two planets.
Planet B and Planet A are separated by a distance of R.
At what distance will the net gravitational field be 0, express R in terms of Planet A.
HINT: Use Gravitational Force.
Since I don't need a numerical value for this, I had an algebraic approach to it, and since I know that if Fg = 0 then G would be = 0.
Fga = -Fgb
Gmamo/Ra^2 = -(Gmbmo/(Ra-R)^2
Where Ra is the ratio from the test mass to Planet A, and mo is the test mass
However, after I try all my algebraic arrangements to isolate Ra, I always end up square rooting a negative number, which is impossible.
What am I doing wrong?
PS: Anything that is not bolded is a subscript. Sorry about the messy report, the superscripts and subscripts aren't working properly for some reason :S
Homework Statement
Planet B and Planet A are separated by a distance of R.
Homework Equations
At what distance will the net gravitational field be 0, express R in terms of Planet A.
HINT: Use Gravitational Force.
The Attempt at a Solution
Since I don't need a numerical value for this, I had an algebraic approach to it, and since I know that if Fg = 0 then G would be = 0.
Fga = -Fgb
Gmamo/Ra^2 = -(Gmbmo/(Ra-R)^2
Where Ra is the ratio from the test mass to Planet A, and mo is the test mass
However, after I try all my algebraic arrangements to isolate Ra, I always end up square rooting a negative number, which is impossible.
What am I doing wrong?
PS: Anything that is not bolded is a subscript. Sorry about the messy report, the superscripts and subscripts aren't working properly for some reason :S