Calculating the radius of a planet

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter onie mti
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Planet Radius
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

To calculate the radius of Mars, use the formula for gravitational acceleration: a = GM/R², where a is the gravitational acceleration (3.8 m/s²), G is the gravitational constant (6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ N(m/kg)²), and M is the mass of Mars (6.4 x 10²³ kg). Rearranging the formula to solve for R gives R = √(GM/a). Substituting the known values yields the radius of Mars as approximately 3,389.5 kilometers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational acceleration
  • Familiarity with the gravitational constant
  • Basic algebra for rearranging equations
  • Knowledge of planetary mass values
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the gravitational constant and its significance in physics
  • Explore the concept of gravitational acceleration on different planets
  • Learn about the methods used to measure planetary masses
  • Investigate the implications of planetary radius on surface conditions
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, students studying planetary science, and anyone interested in the calculations related to planetary measurements.

onie mti
Messages
42
Reaction score
0
If you have an object that undergoes a free fall from on a planet Mars which experiences a gravitational acceleration of magnitude 3,8m/s(squared) the mass of mass is given to be 6,4*10^i23kg. Please how do I find the radius of mars
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
onie mti said:
If you have an object that undergoes a free fall from on a planet Mars which experiences a gravitational acceleration of magnitude 3,8m/s(squared) the mass of mass is given to be 6,4*10^i23kg. Please how do I find the radius of mars

Apply the formula of gravity:
$$a=\frac{GM}{R^2}$$
where $a$ is the acceleration at the surface, $G$ is the gravitational constant ($6.67\cdot 10^{-11}$), $M$ is the mass of the planet, and $R$ is the radius of the planet.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K