Gravity and Height: Find the Height of a Physics Problem

In summary, the conversation is about a problem involving the calculation of height and orbital radius in relation to the radius of a planet. The correct answer for the problem is r = \sqrt{2}*R, with the height being equal to (\sqrt{2}-1)*R or 0.41*R. The height can be found by substituting the radius of the planet in for R.
  • #1
NIZBIT
69
0
I have a problem like the one below:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=114812

I understand how they derived it(I did the same thing) but never say what is the height. So could someone tell what the height is?
 
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  • #2
In that problem, height is relative to the radius of the planet. The correct answer for THAT question should have been
[tex]r = \sqrt{2}*R[/tex].
That would be the orbital radius. The "height" would be the altitude above the planet, which would be
[tex](\sqrt{2}*R)-R[/tex]
or[tex](\sqrt{2}-1)*R[/tex]
Which happens to be equal to 0.41*R

Substitute the radius of the planet in for R and you get the "height."
 
  • #3
Ok I see now. Wasn't so obvious last night.
 

1. How does gravity affect height?

Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards the center of the Earth. The strength of this force decreases as the distance between two objects increases. As a result, objects at higher heights experience a slightly weaker gravitational pull compared to objects at lower heights.

2. How is height calculated in a physics problem?

In a physics problem, height is typically calculated using the equation h = v2 / 2g, where h is the height, v is the initial velocity, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. This equation assumes that the object starts and ends at ground level, and there is no air resistance.

3. Can gravity affect the height of an object on different planets?

Yes, gravity can affect the height of an object on different planets. The strength of gravity varies on different planets based on their mass and size. Objects on planets with a higher gravitational pull will experience a greater force and therefore have a lower height compared to objects on planets with a weaker gravitational pull.

4. How does air resistance impact the height of an object?

Air resistance is a force that opposes the motion of an object. It increases with the speed of the object, meaning that as an object falls, air resistance will increase and eventually balance out the force of gravity. This results in a lower maximum height for the object compared to if there was no air resistance.

5. Can height be calculated if air resistance is present?

Yes, height can still be calculated if air resistance is present. However, the equation used will be more complex and will depend on the specific scenario. In most cases, it will involve taking into account the force of air resistance and the force of gravity to determine the maximum height an object will reach.

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