Calculating Distance from Earth's Center for 1/10 Gravitational Acceleration

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the distance from the Earth's center to a point where gravitational acceleration is 1/10 of its surface value. The relevant equations include FG = GmM/r² and g = Gm/r², with constants G = 6.67 x 10^-11 (Nm²)/kg² and m(Earth) = 5.97 x 10²⁴ kg. The correct approach involves simplifying the equation to r² = (GM)/(g/10), leading to the final answer of r = 2.02 x 10⁷ m after taking the square root. The confusion arose from dimensional analysis and the manipulation of the gravitational acceleration term.

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mosque
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Homework Statement


What is the distance from the Earth's center to a point outside the Earth where the gravitational acceleration due to the Earth is 1/10 its value at the Earth's surface?

Homework Equations


FG= GmM/r^2
g= Gm/r^2

G=6.67x10^-11 (Nm^2)/kg^2
m(earth)=5.97x10^24 kg
g=9.8m/s^2

The Attempt at a Solution


g=1/10g (earth)
g= Gm/r^2

r^2= (Gm/g)1/10
r^2= (Gm/g)10

Answer: r=2.02x10^7 m^2

Using dimensional analysis I somehow got m^2, but I know the units should be in meters, not meters squared.
My other concern is where I change r^2= (Gm/g)1/10 to r^2= (Gm/g)10

I'm not even sure if it was correct to do that. By changing the multiplication from 1/10 to 10 was the only way I got the right answer. I could maybe post an attachment with a picture of my work if it would help you understand what I did.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
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Hi mosque. Welcome to PF!

The acceleration is g/10. So you have ##r^2= \frac{GM}{(g/10)}##

Try simplifying this by multiplying the numerator and denominator by 10.

Note that you had to take a square root to get the answer. What does that do to the units?
 
Wow that's so simple. Now I understand what I was doing wrong. Now that I think about it dividing the gravity by 10 is the same as multiplying it by 10, but instead I worked out Gm/g first and then tried to multiply by 1/10.

Also, once I plugged in the number I did take the square root to get the final answer, but I did the dimensional analysis after so I completely forgot to take the square of the meter.

Thank you so much! :)
 

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