- #1
Denton
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I have been wondering for a long time now on how to calculate the time taken for two masses in space to collide by force of gravity.
Now what I've basically done was integrate the formula a = GM / R^2 between the two points corresponding to the distances appart from the masses (assuming the masses are equal.) And with the acceleration, T = sqrt ( 2S / a ) (S being the distance between masses).
And I've gotten values of, say two 1 tonne masses at a distance of 1 Km would take approx 70 years to collide with each other.
Now I've got no idea whether I've gotten it right, or I am way off. It seems like a fair answer (then again they only weigh one tonne).
Can anyone confirm my working is correct and or what I am doing wrong. Thanks
-Denton.
Now what I've basically done was integrate the formula a = GM / R^2 between the two points corresponding to the distances appart from the masses (assuming the masses are equal.) And with the acceleration, T = sqrt ( 2S / a ) (S being the distance between masses).
And I've gotten values of, say two 1 tonne masses at a distance of 1 Km would take approx 70 years to collide with each other.
Now I've got no idea whether I've gotten it right, or I am way off. It seems like a fair answer (then again they only weigh one tonne).
Can anyone confirm my working is correct and or what I am doing wrong. Thanks
-Denton.