Gravitation between the Moon and the Earth: physics project

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics project focused on the gravitational interaction between the Moon and the Earth. Participants are exploring the net forces acting on the Moon, the calculations of acceleration, and the integration of these values to derive velocity and position graphs using Excel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the net force equation and the implications of assuming only the Moon is moving, raising concerns about conservation of momentum. There are suggestions to consider the Earth as fixed and to justify this assumption. Some participants also explore the need for accurate initial conditions, such as velocity and position, and question how to account for the changing radius over time.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, raising questions about assumptions and exploring different approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for reasonable starting values and the importance of tracking both positions and velocities. There is no explicit consensus, but productive discussions are ongoing.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the project constraints require focusing on the Moon and Earth system, with some expressing concern about the complexity of modeling both bodies in motion. There is mention of homework rules that may limit the approach taken.

  • #61
isukatphysics69 said:
aw crap what
its not possible at this point, its 4 am and due tommorow
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  • #62
i am attempting to fix it
 
  • #63
i think i just fixed it, if you come back please let me know
oh my lord i think i may have just fixed it
 
Last edited:
  • #64
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  • #65
Graphs are updated and still looking good, not much of a change in the graphs as i go lower the acceleration is decreasing
 
  • #66
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  • #67
I think this is what i have to go with regardless. i gave it my best shot now have to move on and will read feedback if given from prof
 
  • #68
this is screwed
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  • #69
Kudos for your tenacity ! Hope the test went well...

I mentioned you in a related thread . A lot of good reading in the pdf link in post #5.

There also is a recent earth-moon thread here:
CrosisBH said:
So I was messing with VPython, trying to create an Earth-Moon System. I got the actual gravity to work, and can create some nice ellipical orbits. However I run into trouble trying to make the actual (almost) circular orbit of the moon.
...
 
  • #70
Definitely failed that final exam but my test average this semester was 84 over 6 test so I think I will pass the course. Very disappointed in self but how on Earth ani supposed to pass a final that has 2/6 questions that we covered last week. So I answers 3/ 6 questions and we were supposed to answer 4/6 to have a chance at full credit plus this project lack of sleep and food was a recipe for disaster plus I'm just a complete moron but whatever I failed sometimes you fail
 
  • #71
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  • #72
isukatphysics69 said:
Definitely failed that final exam but my test average this semester was 84 over 6 test so I think I will pass the course. Very disappointed in self but how on Earth ani supposed to pass a final that has 2/6 questions that we covered last week. So I answers 3/ 6 questions and we were supposed to answer 4/6 to have a chance at full credit plus this project lack of sleep and food was a recipe for disaster plus I'm just a complete moron but whatever I failed sometimes you fail
Sure, and the world is a bad place etcetera
You're entitled to a bit of disappointment, not to a lamentation like this and self depreciation. Consider it a learning experience: planning, sleep, food, whatever is imoporant too and can only be ignored at a price. You come out of this better than you were. Cheer up.
Find a real shoulder if necessary. PF doesn't provide effectively in such matters :smile:
 
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  • #73
BvU said:
Sure, and the world is a bad place etcetera
You're entitled to a bit of disappointment, not to a lamentation like this and self depreciation. Consider it a learning experience: planning, sleep, food, whatever is imoporant too and can only be ignored at a price. You come out of this better than you were. Cheer up.
Find a real shoulder if necessary. PF doesn't provide effectively in such matters :smile:
Alright man thank you, I'm sure i will be back posting 10 threads per week again in the fall for physics 2. Have a good summer
BvU said:
Sure, and the world is a bad place etcetera
You're entitled to a bit of disappointment, not to a lamentation like this and self depreciation. Consider it a learning experience: planning, sleep, food, whatever is imoporant too and can only be ignored at a price. You come out of this better than you were. Cheer up.
Find a real shoulder if necessary. PF doesn't provide effectively in such matters :smile:
thank you for all the help, I'm sure I will be back for calculus 3 in a few weeks. Take care :)
 
  • #74
Good show ! See you !
 

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