Calculating Peter Griffin's Mass Using Orbital Dynamics

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The discussion revolves around estimating Peter Griffin's mass using orbital dynamics based on a YouTube video. The initial approach involves calculating angular velocity from the orbital period, leading to the equation that equates centripetal and gravitational forces. Participants note the challenge of estimating the orbital radius, which is crucial for the calculations. One user estimates the period to be 2.62 seconds, resulting in an angular speed of approximately 2.3981 s^-1 and ultimately calculates Peter's mass to be around 2.9E8 kg, humorously suggesting he is extremely heavy. The conversation highlights the importance of radius estimation in solving the problem.
doublemint
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So I have this homework questions which asks me to watch this video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHW8ZwxOiKY" then the question asks to estimate Peter's mass.

I have determined that I can find the angular velocity of the object orbiting Peter by determining the period of the orbit.
w=2(pi)/T
Now I thought about equating the centripetal force and gravitational force together, then using the angular speed found, I could find the mass. However, there is a left over constant, the radius. I am not sure if there is anyway to eliminate it.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
DoubleMint
 
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Are you not allowed to estimate the orbital radii? I mean... if that's an absurd suggestion, then why ask an absurd question :P
 
The question is vague, no mention of estimating the orbital radii. I also came to the conclusion that there is no way to complete the question unless I have the value for the radius.
Thanks Pengwuino!
 
Show us what you got for an answer, this might be pretty funny of a result.
 
Okay so i measured the period to be around 2.62s. Then the angular speed is 2(pi)/(2.62s) = 2.3981s^-1
F_c = F_g
m(w^2)r=Gm(m_p)/(r^2) where m_p is the Peter's Mass.
m_p=(w^2)(r^3)G^-1
r was estimated to be 0.15m
m_p = 2.9E8kg (roughly)
If I did it right, he is one heavy man :-p
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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