Calculating Speed and Time of Nolan Ryan's Baseball Orbit on the Moon

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed and time required for a baseball thrown by Nolan Ryan to achieve a circular orbit around the moon. The problem involves concepts from gravitational physics and orbital mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to determine the correct equations for calculating orbital speed and period. There is confusion regarding the relationship between gravitational force and orbital motion, with some questioning the validity of the equation V=G*R.

Discussion Status

Some participants have expressed uncertainty about their calculations and the equations used, while others have suggested looking up the correct formulas for satellite motion. There is an ongoing exploration of the necessary principles without a clear consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the resources they can consult. There is also a noted confusion regarding the application of gravitational equations in the context of orbital mechanics.

JJ89
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Suppose that Nolan Ryan stands on the surface of the moon and throws a baseball horizontally. If the baseball has a high enough speed and does not strike any mountain, it can orbit around the moon and, after completing the orbit, strike Nolan from behind. The mass of the moon is mm = 7.35×(10*22power kg), and its radius is rm = 1740 km. The gravitation constant G = 6.67×10(-11power) Nm2/kg2.

a) Find the speed at which Nolan must throw the ball for such a circular orbit? V= ms

(b) How long (in hours) does the ball take to complete one orbit? T= hrs


is the equation V=G*R? if so i used 7.35*10to the 22nd power * 6.67 *10 to -11 power?
i got 4.90245e12, and it said i was wrong.



The Attempt at a Solution

 
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but i can't figure out the equation for B
 


did i do A right?
 


JJ89 said:
is the equation V=G*R? if so i used 7.35*10to the 22nd power * 6.67 *10 to -11 power?
i got 4.90245e12, and it said i was wrong.
No, the equation is not V = G*R. Look up the correct equation for satellite motion in a circular orbit in your textbook. You can also derive it using Newton's Second Law combined with Newton's Law of gravitation.
 

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