# Homework Help: Gravitational Fields

1. Oct 31, 2005

### F.B

I am stuck on these problems i really dont know how to do them.So can any one please help me. Can you explain how to do these questions.

A 620 kg satellite above the earth's surface experiences a gravitational field strength of 4.5 N/kg.

a) Knowing the gravitational field strength at earth's surface abd earths radius, how far above the Earth's surface is the satellite? (Use ratio and proportion.

b) Determine the magnitude of the gravitational force on the satellite.

I know for b) i need a) but i dont seem to get the right answer for a.

for a this is wat i do.

gs=GMs/Rs^2
ge=GMe/Re^2

then i get g s/g e = Ms/Me x (Re/Rs)^2
But i dont get the right answer for it.

2. Oct 31, 2005

### whozum

You dont need (a) for (b).

For (a) you are given the acceleration due to gravity (the local g) and need to find the distance between earth and the satelite.. just use the equation you have to find the distance..

3. Nov 1, 2005

### Fermat

The g-value doesn't depend on the mass of the object experiencing the force. It varies due to the distance between the two masses only.

The gravitational force of attraction is given by,

$$F = \frac{GMm}{r^2}$$

The gravitational field strength, as you put it, is given by,

$$g = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{GM}{r^2}$$

$$g_s = \frac{GM_e}{r_s^2}$$
$$g_e = \frac{GM_e}{r_e^2}$$
$$\frac{g_s}{g_e} = \frac{GM_e}{r_s^2} \div \frac{GM_e}{r_e^2}$$
$$\frac{g_s}{g_e} = \frac{r_e^2}{r_s^2}$$