Calculate Earth's Mass Using Gauss Law & Density

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating Earth's mass using Gauss's Law and the Earth's volume mass density, defined as ρ = A - Br, where A = 1.42 x 104 kg/m3, B = 1.16 x 104 kg/m3, and Earth's radius R = 6.370 x 106 m. Participants clarify the need for a volume integral to determine mass and highlight potential confusion between Gauss's Law and Gauss's Theorem. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly expressing density as a function of distance from the center of the Earth.

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  • Understanding of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with volume integrals in calculus
  • Knowledge of density as a function of distance
  • Basic concepts of gravitational physics
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  • Study the application of Gauss's Law in gravitational fields
  • Learn how to perform volume integrals for mass calculations
  • Research the differences between Gauss's Law and Gauss's Theorem
  • Explore the implications of Earth's density variations on gravitational calculations
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bananasplit
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Is it possible to find the mass of the Earth based on the Earth's volume mass density, roe = A-Br=R, where A = 1.42 x 104 kg/m3, B = 1.16 x 104 kg/m3, and Earth’s radius
R = 6.370 x 106 m

I know that based on Gauss Law that (closed integral) g x da = -4Gmin, where g is the total electric field due to the inside and outside of the closed surface. I don't see how this is possible.
 
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Hi, bananasplit. Could you try to be a little clearer? I think you were trying to write an expression for the density of the Earth, [tex]\rho[/tex], as a function of distance from the center, r, but I can't read your expression. Does it have a spurious equals sign, or a missing / symbol?

If that's the case, then you have to do a volume integral, and I don't see any connection to Gauss's Law. Might you be confusing Gauss's Law with Gauss's Theorem?
 

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