How to Calculate Gravitational Force in Orbital and Spherical Systems?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate gravitational force in orbital and spherical systems, use the formula Fg=(Gm1*m2)/R^2, where R is the distance between the centers of mass of the two objects. For a satellite, R should include both the radius of the Earth and the altitude of the satellite above the surface. In the case of two uniform spheres touching each other, the distance R is the distance between their centers, which can be simplified if one mass is significantly larger than the other. When solving these problems, treat the bodies as point masses located at their centers of mass. Understanding these principles is essential for accurately calculating gravitational forces in various scenarios.
ACLerok
Messages
194
Reaction score
0
i am given a problem where a satellite in orbit is a certain distance from the surface of the earth. It then gives the radius of the earth. I realize i have to use the forumula: Fg=(Gm1*m2)/R^2
can i just use the distance from the surface of Earth to the satellite as R or do i add the radius of the Earth to it?

And also.. anyone kind enough to give me some hints on how to solve this simple problem??

Two uniform spheres, each with mass M and radius R , touch one another.
What is the magnitude of their gravitational force of attraction?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
R is the distance from the center of m2 to the center of m1, but if m2 is much, much larger than m1 (making m1 basically a point mass), then the distance from the surface of m1 to the center of m1 can be disregarded.
 
For all these problems, reduce the bodies to point particles at the centre of mass of the body. R would be the distance between the two CoMs. Then you do indeed need to add the radius and the height for R.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Calculating Tidal Range (Gravitation)
Replies
12
Views
2K
Velocity required to escape the solar system
Replies
15
Views
1K
How to get gravitational force on a gaseous particle?
Replies
28
Views
2K
Why does the gravitational force decrease below the Earth's surface?
Replies
10
Views
3K
What is the mass of the Galaxy's core?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Proportionality of gravitational fields
Replies
3
Views
1K
Gravitational Field Multiple Choice Help
Replies
5
Views
2K
How to solve gravitational force exerted
Replies
1
Views
2K
What is the Correct Radius and Mass of Earth for Satellite Orbit Calculations?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Calculate gravitational acceleration without mass of both objects
Replies
1
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top