How Do You Solve Complex Astrophysics Calculations?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving complex astrophysics calculations, including determining the orbital period of Jupiter's moon Io and the orbital speed and period for a spaceship near a white dwarf. Participants emphasize the importance of showing work and understanding the underlying concepts rather than simply providing answers. Calculating the mass of the galaxy based on the Sun's orbit and estimating the altitude for a satellite to complete a circular orbit in 1.8 hours are also addressed. The conversation encourages users to research and apply relevant equations for these calculations. Overall, the thread highlights the educational approach to tackling astrophysics problems.
smw1016
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
1.
Calculate the orbital period for Jupiter's moon Io, which orbits from the center of the planet.

2.
A white dwarf is a collapsed star with roughly the mass of the Sun compressed into the size of the Earth. What would be (a) the orbital speed and (b) the orbital period for a spaceship in orbit just above the surface of a white dwarf?

3
Given that our Sun orbits the galaxy with a period of 200 at a distance of from the galactic center, estimate the mass of the galaxy. Assume (incorrectly) that the galaxy is essentially spherical and that most of its mass lies interior to the Sun's orbit.

and
To how many Sun-mass stars is your estimate equivalent?

4
At what altitude will a satellite complete a circular orbit of the Earth in 1.8h ?

thank you thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF - when you submitted the question did you see some instructions about showing you work and what you had attempted?
Telling you the answers is no different from us just saying that the answer sheets are in the top left drawer of the teachers desk.
 
yea there were 15 questions and i solved them all but this ones... i don't know where to start.. please help me thank you
 
1, lookup orbit or orbital period. For a small body orbiting a much larger one there is an equation only containing the mass of the larger body and the radius. You should be able to find the mass of Jupiter and the radius of Io's orbit on wikipedia.
 
mgb_phys said:
Welcome to PF - when you submitted the question did you see some instructions about showing you work and what you had attempted?
Telling you the answers is no different from us just saying that the answer sheets are in the top left drawer of the teachers desk.
yea there were 15 questions and i solved them all but this ones... i don't know where to start.. please help me thank you
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Newton's Theory of Gravity: Calculating the Orbit of Our Solar System
Replies
4
Views
11K
B Evolution of planetary system around a white dwarf
Replies
0
Views
2K
What is the Mass of the Andromeda Galaxy?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Is my fictional Solar System stable and realistic?
Replies
21
Views
4K
I The solar system and the Coriolis effect
Replies
4
Views
3K
How Do You Solve Orbital Mechanics Problems Involving Central Forces?
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Can You Calculate Saturn's Mass Using a Telescope and Stopwatch?
Replies
9
Views
3K
B Neutron star 4U 1820-30 spins at 716 revolutions per second
Replies
0
Views
2K
I How Big of an Object Orbiting Closer to the Sun Than Earth Could Be Overlooked?
Replies
17
Views
4K
Why do different formulae give me different answers for mass of galaxy?
Replies
1
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top