# Gravitational Pull Question

1. Dec 9, 2007

### Andy111

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

On the way to the moon, the Apollo astronauts reach a point where the Moon's gravitational pull is stronger than that of the Earth's.
Find the distance of this point from the center of the Earth. The masses of the Earth and the Moon are 5.98e24 Kg and 7.36e22 Kg, respectively, and the distance from the Earth to the Moon is 3.84e8 m.

2. Relevant equations

F=G(m1)(m2)/r(squared)

Where F is force of gravity, G is gravitational constant, m1 is mass of one object, and m2 is mass of second object. And r(squared) is the radius from center to center.

F(C)=mv(squared)/r

where F(c) is centripetal force, m is mass of an object (in Kg), v(squared) is the linear speed of an object (in m/s), and r is the radius from the center of the object being orbited around.

g=Gm1/r(squared)

g is acceleration due to gravity, G is gravitational constant,m1 is mass of object causing gravity, and r(squared) is radius from center to center.

V(squared)=Gm1/R

V(squared) is linear speed, G is gravitational constant, m1 is object causing gravity, and r is radius.

3. The attempt at a solution

I tried using the equation g=Gm1/r(squared) for each the earth and the moon, and setting them equal to each other, but that didn't really work out.

2. Dec 9, 2007

### Feldoh

Setup an inequality

$$\frac{G(m_{moon})(m_{apollo})}{r_{moon to apollo}^2} > \frac{G(m_{earth})(m_{apollo})}{r_{earth to apollo}^2}$$

Stuff cancels out and you're left with:

$$\frac{m_{moon}}{r_{moon to apollo}^2} > \frac{m_{earth}}{r_{earth to apollo}^2}$$

We know that the distances are related because the earth and the moon are a set distance apart and the sum of the distance between the astronauts and the moon and earth must be the same as the distance between the earth and moon. If you find when the two are equal you when when the moons gravitational pull will be greater

Last edited: Dec 10, 2007
3. Dec 9, 2007

### rl.bhat

If x is the distance from the earth at which the gravitational pull due the earth and moon are equal then GMe/x^2 = GMm/(3.84e8 - x)^2. Now solve for x.

4. Dec 9, 2007

### Andy111

Thankyou for the help. I got the answer now, and it was correct.