Gravitational force for a ball and particle

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the distance from a small 110kg ball at which a particle would experience a gravitational pull equal to that of the Earth. The subject area is gravitational force and its mathematical representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the gravitational force equation and the necessity of the particle's mass. There is a question about whether to treat the mass of the particle as a variable, with some suggesting that it cancels out in the calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing their attempts and corrections. Some have provided guidance on handling the mass of the particle, and there is a recognition of the need to square certain values in calculations. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication that the problem may involve assumptions about the mass of the particle and the relationship between the gravitational forces involved. Participants are navigating these assumptions as part of their discussion.

PKay
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Homework Statement


How far from a very small 110kg ball would a particle have to be placed so that the ball pulled on the particle just as hard as the Earth does?


Homework Equations



Fg= gMm/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I used the equation and plugged in the numbers for the ball and the earth, but then I realized that I needed to use the mass for the particle. However, I don't know what the mass for the particle is.
 
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It does not require the mass of the particle.
 
Am I supposed to leave it as a variable?
 
It's your choice..if you do that, you can see it cancels out ultimately.
 
Thanks! I see it now... I end up getting R= R^2 * Mball/Mearth I'm hoping I'm in the right direction.
 
Yes.
 
I get 7.49-10^-10 but it says I'm wrong.
 
Whoops. I'm sorry. I forgot to square root that. Thanks so much for your help! Now to tackle the other 2 monstrous problems.
 

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