Gravity Help: Earth to Moon Distance

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In summary, the conversation discusses the point at which lunar gravity begins to dominate over Earth's gravitational force for a spacecraft traveling from Earth to the Moon. The conversation also includes equations and variables to calculate the answer.
  • #1
iamanoob
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For a spacecraft going directly from the Earth to the Moon, beyond what point will lunar gravity begin to dominate? That is, where will the lunar gravitational force be equal in magnitude to the Earth's gravitational force?
m from Earth
i know that the Earth is 3.8*10^8m from the moon
 
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  • #2
F=G.m1.m2/r^2

m1 = spacecraft = ? = 1000 kg?
m2 = Earth
m3 = luna
G = gravitational constant 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2

F1= G.m1.m2/r1^2
F2= G.m1.m3/r2^2
r1+r2=3,8.10^8m
F1=F2

4 equations with 4 variables F1,F2,r1,r2. r1 is the answer.

Am I right, I'm not sure.
 
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  • #3
You are right, but you are not supposed to do this thing; you should have better made iamanoob to do this, helping him on his way.
 
  • #4
Right! But he still has to calculate the answer. :)
 

FAQ: Gravity Help: Earth to Moon Distance

1. How far is the distance between Earth and the Moon?

The average distance between Earth and the Moon is approximately 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers).

2. How does gravity affect the distance between Earth and the Moon?

Gravity plays a significant role in the distance between Earth and the Moon. It is the gravitational pull between the two bodies that keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth at a relatively stable distance.

3. Can the distance between Earth and the Moon change?

Yes, the distance between Earth and the Moon can vary due to a phenomenon known as "libration." This occurs because the Moon's orbit is not a perfect circle, causing its distance from Earth to fluctuate slightly.

4. How long does it take for light to travel from Earth to the Moon?

It takes approximately 1.3 seconds for light to travel from Earth to the Moon. This is because light travels at a speed of approximately 186,282 miles per second.

5. What is the closest distance that the Moon can be to Earth?

The closest distance that the Moon can be to Earth is approximately 225,623 miles (362,600 kilometers). This event is called a "perigee" and it occurs when the Moon is at its closest point in its orbit around Earth.

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