Change in gravity due to oil deposit

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around estimating the mass of an oil deposit located 3000m below the surface, based on a measured decrease in gravity of 2 parts in 10^7. The approach involves treating the mass of the oil deposit as negative, affecting the total gravitational force. A key equation is derived, relating the gravitational forces of the Earth and the oil deposit. The initial calculation yielded a mass of 2.697e+10 kg, which was identified as incorrect. Further clarification is sought on the correct method to approach the problem, emphasizing the need to consider the relative change in gravity.
gtd4dq
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


"A mining company finds gravity is 2 parts in 10^7 less over a certain area. Assume there is an oil deposit 3000m below. Take the density of rock to be 3000 kg/m^3, and the density of oil to be 1000 kg/m^3. Estimate the mass of the deposit, assumed spherical."

Homework Equations


$$F_g = \frac{Gm_1m_2}{r^2}$$

The Attempt at a Solution


I remember my professor mentioning in class that the oil deposit's mass can be treated as negative. Thus when the acceleration due to gravity from the oil deposit was subtracted from the total acceleration due to gravity, this would be the same as measured gravity. Thus: $$\frac{Gm_{earth}}{r_{earth}^2}-\frac{Gm_{oil}}{r_{toOil}^2}=\frac{Gm_{earth}}{r_{earth}^2}-\frac{2}{{10}^{7}}$$

where ##r_{toOil}## is the radius between the surface of the Earth and the oil (3000m). This simplifies to: $$\frac{Gm_{oil}}{r_{toOil}^2}=\frac{2}{{10}^{7}}$$

And when I plugged in the numbers I got the result that the mass of the oil was 2.697e+10 kg, which was wrong. I have no clue where to go from here. Any guidance would be enormously appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
2 parts in 107 is probably relative:$$
\frac{Gm_{earth}}{r_{earth}^2}-\frac{Gm_{oil}}{r_{toOil}^2}=\frac{Gm_{earth}}{r_{earth}^2}\left ( 1-\frac{2}{{10}^{7}} \right ) $$
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Back
Top