Circular Motion and Universal Law of Gravitation Solutions Check Requested

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the surface acceleration due to gravity on a typical white dwarf star, which has the mass of the Sun (1.99 x 1030 kg) and the radius of the Moon (1.74 x 106 m). The correct application of the Universal Law of Gravitation leads to the formula a = G * (M/R2), where G is the gravitational constant (6.67426 x 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2). The calculated surface acceleration is approximately 4.38 x 107 m/s2, confirming the solution's validity.

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  • Understanding of the Universal Law of Gravitation
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration calculations
  • Knowledge of basic physics concepts related to mass and radius
  • Ability to manipulate scientific notation and units
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  • Study the derivation of the Universal Law of Gravitation
  • Learn about gravitational acceleration in different celestial bodies
  • Explore the properties and characteristics of white dwarf stars
  • Investigate the implications of mass and radius on gravitational forces
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Homework Statement



1. A typical white dwarf star, which once was an average star like our Sun but now in the last stage of its evolution, is the size of our Moon but has the mass of our Sun. What is the surface acceleration due to gravity on this star? (Msun = 1.99 x 10^30 kg, Rmoon = 1.74 x 10^6 m)

- R = radius and M = mass (in reference to Msun and Rmoon)

Homework Equations



Universal Law of Gravitation
0f36df929ac9d711a8ba8c5658c3bfee.png


The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know how to start, but still gave it a try.
First of all, I didn't know what the "F" on the other side of the equation is supposed to be or set the equation up to find the acceleration.
I started by substituting G for 6.67426x10^-11 and got rid of the 2nd mass altogether.
I plugged in the mass of the sun, 1.99x10^30 kg divided by the radius of the moon, 1.74x10^6 m.
Thus I ended up with 4.38x10^7 m/s^2.

Is this the solution?
 
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Your try was a good one, well figured out.

We have [tex]F = m_2 a = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2},[/tex]
so [tex]a = G \frac{m_1}{r^2}.[/tex]
 

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