How Do You Calculate the Force Earth Exerts Tangentially?

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SUMMARY

The calculation of the force that Earth exerts tangentially involves understanding the relationship between gravitational force and centripetal force. Given the distance 'r' from the Sun to Earth, the velocity of Earth, and the angle between the velocity vector and the 'r' vector, one can derive the necessary centripetal force using the formula GMm/r² = mv²/r. To counteract Earth's motion, one must calculate the velocity and apply the work-energy principle to determine the work needed to bring Earth to rest.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational force and centripetal force
  • Familiarity with the formula GMm/r² = mv²/r
  • Knowledge of orbital mechanics and velocity vectors
  • Basic principles of work-energy in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study gravitational force calculations using Newton's law of gravitation
  • Learn about centripetal force and its applications in orbital mechanics
  • Explore the work-energy principle in greater depth
  • Investigate the effects of counteracting forces on orbital bodies
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in celestial mechanics and orbital dynamics will benefit from this discussion.

kepler
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Hi,

If at a particular time, I have the r distance from the Sun to Earth, the value of the velocity of Earth, and the angle between the velocity vector and the r vector, how can I calculate the force that Earth has regarding the tangent? Suppose I wanted to go againts the movement of the Earth. Which force should I go against and how do I calculate it?

Kind regards,

Kepler
 
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In a direction tangential to its orbit , Earth has an obital velocity vector prependicular to the vector 'r' . This velocity vector can be calculated easily.

Considering the system to be considering only of Sun and Earth , therefore , Sun's gravitational pull provides the necessary centripedal force :

[itex] <br /> \frac {GMm}{r^2} = \frac {mv^2}{r}[/itex]

Calculate the velocity from here . This the velocity you have to counteract by going against the motion of earth. To bring Earth to rest , you can calculate the work needed by the work-energy principle.

BJ
 

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