Calculating Peter Griffin's Mass Using Orbital Dynamics

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating the mass of a character, Peter Griffin, using principles of orbital dynamics. Participants are tasked with analyzing a video and applying concepts such as angular velocity, centripetal force, and gravitational force to derive Peter's mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculating angular velocity from the orbital period and equating centripetal and gravitational forces. There are questions about the necessity and estimation of the orbital radius, with some expressing uncertainty about completing the problem without this information.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning the assumptions made in the problem. Some have provided estimates for the period and angular speed, while others highlight the ambiguity in the problem's requirements regarding the radius.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of explicit instructions regarding estimating the orbital radius, which has led to differing opinions on how to approach the problem. Participants are navigating these constraints as they attempt to derive a solution.

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
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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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
 

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