Calculating the gravity on the moon

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the gravitational force on the Moon based on given ratios of the Earth's and Moon's radii and masses. The original poster references a physics test question that involves applying the gravitational formula and ratios to find the Moon's gravitational force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the gravitational formula but expresses confusion over their calculations, noting discrepancies in their results. Some participants suggest that solving symbolically rather than numerically may simplify the problem, particularly by using the ratios provided.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the original poster's calculations and encouraging a symbolic approach to the problem. There is no explicit consensus yet, but guidance has been offered regarding the method of solving the problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has provided specific ratios for the radii and masses of the Earth and Moon, which are central to the problem but may require further exploration to fully understand their implications in the calculations.

Blacky372
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Hey guys, we just had a physics test and one exercise was the following:

The Earth pulls down on stuff with 9.81 N/kg.
How strong is this force on the moon?

Homework Statement



Radius of the Earth re = 6,370km
Ratio between re and rm = 11:3
Ratio between me and mm = 81:1

Homework Equations



Gravitation formula. [itex]F=\gamma*\frac{mM}{r^{2}}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



In the test I got the correct result ~1,622[itex]\frac{m}{s^{2}}[/itex] but now I can't figure out how I did it.
This is my attempt:
http://imgur.com/4TfyD2G
My formula was basically this:
[itex]F=6.67\cdot10^{-11}\frac{Nm^{2}}{kg^{2}}\cdot\frac{1kg\cdot\frac{9.81N\cdot6.37\cdot10^{6}m}{6.67\cdot10^{-11}\frac{Nm^{2}}{kg^{2}}}:81}{(6.37\cdot10^{6}m\cdot\frac{11}{3})^{2}}[/itex]

EDIT: Okay this is kind of illegible. This one is better: http://i.imgur.com/O6nEQyr.png

I first thought I was right but when i calculate the result its something like 2,72N instead of 1,622N.

How can I get to the right solution?
 
Last edited:
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Please post your working. How else can we determine what you're doing wrong?
 
Oh sorry, the picture isn't loading.
I will try to fix that.
 
Blacky372 said:
My formula was basically this:
[itex]F=6.67\cdot10^{-11}\frac{Nm^{2}}{kg^{2}}\cdot\frac{1kg\cdot\frac{9.81N\cdot6.37\cdot10^{6}m}{6.67\cdot10^{-11}\frac{Nm^{2}}{kg^{2}}}:81}{(6.37\cdot10^{6}m\cdot\frac{11}{3})^{2}}[/itex]
Generally it is better to solve problems symbolically, only plugging in the numbers at the very end. That is definitely true for this problem. Notice that two of the data you are given are ratios of the Earth and Moon radii and masses. That suggests that taking the ratio of the force on the Moon to the force on the Earth, ##F_m/F_e##, is the most direct route to a solution. Do that symbolically and the problem becomes very simple.
 

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