Centripetal forces in our solar system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of centripetal forces in the solar system, specifically focusing on the forces acting on planets around the sun and moons around Jupiter. Participants explore potential connections between mass, centripetal forces, and gravitational influences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculated the mean centripetal forces for planets and moons, noting significant differences in their magnitudes but struggling to find a connection.
  • Another participant inquires about the expected connection, prompting further clarification on the nature of the inquiry.
  • A suggestion is made to focus on individual celestial bodies rather than comparing multiple bodies at once, emphasizing the importance of considering the mass of both the primary and secondary bodies along with the distance between them.
  • A participant expresses intent to investigate the relationship between the moon Europa, Jupiter, and the distance involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the nature of the connections between mass and centripetal forces, as the discussion remains exploratory with varying suggestions on how to approach the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need to consider multiple factors in determining centripetal force, indicating that the discussion may be limited by the complexity of the relationships involved and the assumptions made in calculations.

nibbel11
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i calculated the centripetal forces in our solar system but i can't seem to find a connection
using the centripetal force formula:

Fmpz=(m⋅v2)/r

i found out that the mean centripetal force for the planets around the sun is about 10^39,
the mean centripetal of the moons around Jupiter is about 10^21
and the centripetal of the moon is 10^20

i checked a few logical difference of these bodies but coulden't get a match with the mutliply factor between these numbers
 
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What kind of connection did you expect to find ?
 
a connection between the masses and the mean centripetal forces or the gravity
 
nibbel11 said:
a connection between the masses and the mean centripetal forces or the gravity
Rather than complicate your task by considering all the satellites around the sun or all the moons around Jupiter, why not concentrate on a single planet or on a single moon at a time.

Rather than looking at just one factor in determining the centripetal force, consider three factors: the mass of the primary, the mass of the secondary and the distance between the two. There is a precise relationship that can be found for centripetal force in terms of those factors.
 
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so let's say europa(the moon), Jupiter and the distance. i going to look into that, thanks
 

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