Acceleration due to gravity in a galaxy?

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SUMMARY

The acceleration due to gravity at the periphery of a galaxy can be calculated using the formula GM/r², where G is the gravitational constant, M is the total mass of the galaxy within a specified radius, and r is the distance from the galaxy's center. For example, using a mass of 700 billion solar masses and a radius of 15,000 parsecs, the acceleration is approximately 0.4 nanometers per second squared. This calculation can be performed using Google’s calculator for convenience, demonstrating the practical application of Newton's law of gravity in astrophysics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's law of gravity
  • Familiarity with gravitational constant (G)
  • Knowledge of mass measurement in solar masses
  • Basic skills in unit conversion (parsecs to meters)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the gravitational constant (G) and its significance in astrophysics
  • Learn about galaxy rotation curves and their implications for dark matter
  • Explore advanced gravitational theories, including Einstein’s Field Equation
  • Study the mass distribution of galaxies and its effect on gravitational calculations
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students studying gravitational physics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in galaxy dynamics and gravitational calculations.

Bjarne
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How strong is acceleration due to gravity ?
For example at the periphery at a galaxy ?
 
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To determine the acceleration due to gravity at the periphery of a galaxy, you need to know three numbers. The first is the distance from the galaxy centre where your acceleration is to be calculated (the radius). The second is the total mass of the galaxy contained with that radius. The third is the gravitational constant, G.

Lastly, you will need to learn about Newton's law of gravity (the wikipedia article is suffucient). With the above three numbers, some knowledge of how gravity works and a little bit of calculating, you should be able to work the numbers out yourself.
 
Bjarne said:
How strong is acceleration due to gravity ?
For example at the periphery at a galaxy ?

Put this into google "G*(mass of sun)/(1 AU)^2"
without the quotes
The google calculator will tell you the accel due to sun's mass at the Earth's usual distance of 1 AU.The distance from center to apparent edge is sometimes estimated
about 15,000 parsecs. The mass of our galaxy within that radius has been put at 700 billion solar masses. Try this in the google search window, without the quotes:

"G*(700*10^9 mass of sun)/(15 kpc)^2"

I think you will get around 0.4 nanometer per second per second.
 
Last edited:
Thank's

PS..
1.) I thought the equation was more complicated (Einstein’s Field Equation). But I assume GM/r^2 can be used as a rough estimation (?).
2.) I thought there are “only" 200 stars” in a typical galaxy (not 700 ?)
3.) 15,000 parsecs = 4,62e20 Meter (50.000 LY )

700e9*2e30*6,67E-11/4,62e20^2= 4,37e-10 M^2
 

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