What is the equation for calculating acceleration due to gravity on an asteroid?

In summary, the conversation is about determining the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of an asteroid. The correct equation to use for this is x=\frac{1}{2}gt^{2}, as the initial speed of the falling object is zero. Dividing the velocity by the time taken would calculate the average velocity, not the change in velocity.
  • #1
hovno1
2
0
1. On an asteroid a small object falls, from rest, 1.00m in 4.20s. What is the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the asteroid?



2.



3. I am getting an answer of 5.67 * 10^-2, by dividing the velocity (distance/time) by the time. Is this the correct?

I will really appreciate any feedback!
 
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  • #2
Acceleration is change in velocity divided by time taken.
Dividing that distance by the time taken would calculate the average velocity of the falling object, not the change in its velocity.
Do you know any equations for uniformly accelerated motion?
 
  • #3
think I've done it now using the equation (Vf-Vi)/t=g. Is this the correct equation to use?
 
  • #4
not quite, as you don't know the final velocity (though you can work it out), howevere, you do know the distance it travelled, usually called 's' or 'x'
 
  • #5
The equation to use here is:
[tex]
x=\frac{1}{2}gt^{2}
[/tex]
As the initial speed was zero.
 

FAQ: What is the equation for calculating acceleration due to gravity on an asteroid?

What is acceleration due to gravity?

Acceleration due to gravity is the rate at which an object falls towards the ground due to the force of gravity. It is represented by the symbol "g" and has a constant value of 9.8 meters per second squared near the Earth's surface.

How is acceleration due to gravity calculated?

The acceleration due to gravity can be calculated by dividing the force of gravity by the mass of the object. It can also be calculated using the formula g = G * (M/R^2), where G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the mass of the planet, and R is the distance from the center of the planet to the object.

Does acceleration due to gravity vary on different planets?

Yes, the acceleration due to gravity varies on different planets depending on their mass and radius. For example, the acceleration due to gravity on Mars is 3.71 meters per second squared, while on Jupiter it is 24.79 meters per second squared.

How does air resistance affect acceleration due to gravity?

Air resistance, also known as drag, can decrease the acceleration due to gravity of an object. This is because air resistance acts in the opposite direction of the object's motion and can slow it down. However, for most objects falling near the Earth's surface, the effect of air resistance is minimal.

Why does acceleration due to gravity only depend on the mass of the planet and not the mass of the object?

Acceleration due to gravity only depends on the mass of the planet and not the mass of the object because it is a result of the planet's gravitational pull on the object. The mass of the object does not affect the acceleration due to gravity, but it does affect the force of gravity acting on the object.

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