How would Fg vs. r look on a graphical diagram?Fg on y-axis, r on

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The discussion focuses on the graphical representation of gravitational force (Fg) versus radius (r), with Fg plotted on the y-axis and r on the x-axis, ranging from 1re to 6re. Participants explore the relationship between gravitational force and radius, concluding that Fg decreases inversely with the square of the radius, as expressed by the equation Fg = G*m1*m2/r^2. The conversation also touches on the speed required for a cannonball to orbit the Earth when fired from the top of Everest, with the relevant formula being v = sqrt(GM/r). Overall, the key takeaway is that as the radius increases, the gravitational force decreases significantly. Understanding these relationships is crucial for solving related physics problems.
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how would Fg vs. r look on a graphical diagram?
Fg on y-axis, r on x-axis (from 1re to 6re)

re (radius of the Earth)

If a cannon ball is fired from the top of Everest parallel to the Earth's surface fast enough (ignoring air resistance and assuming that it doesn't bump into anything), it will "orbit" the Earth and hit the back of the cannon that it was fired from. Find the speed required to do this.
 
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As this is homework, you'll need to show an attempt first.

The relationship for the first part is what? Linear? Squared? Cubic? Inverse-Square?

The second part, what equations do you know?
 


for the first part, it would linear .
for the second part, i would use v=2pi*r divided by T
 


saan100 said:
for the first part, it would linear

Really? What's the equation for gravitational force?
for the second part, i would use v=2pi*r divided by T

I'm going to refer you here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_speed

You'd be better off using v = sqrt(GM/r) as you know all the numbers for that quite easily.

Where v = velocity, G = gravitational constant, M = mass of earth, r = radius of Earth plus height of everest.

If you don't know the speed, you won't know T from your above equation.
 


- the equation for Fg = G*m1*m2/r^2

-for second part, I'm confused over the formula you provided. Would you kindly explain it?
 


saan100 said:
- the equation for Fg = G*m1*m2/r^2

Ok, so what does that tell you about the Fg and r relationship?
-for second part, I'm confused over the formula you provided. Would you kindly explain it?

Have a read through the link I provided, it's really short.

v = \sqrt {\frac {GM}r}

If you plug in the numbers as per my previous post, you will get the required orbital velocity for the height of everest. In other words, the speed you need the canon ball to travel at. That's all there is to it.
 


The relationship - The greater the radius, the lesser the gravitation force
 


saan100 said:
The relationship - The greater the radius, the lesser the gravitation force

Of course, but what does the equation tell you?

Gravitational force decreases...

a) linearly to radius.
b) proportional to the square of the radius.
c) proportional to the cube of the radius.
d) inversely proportional to the square of the radius.

Look at it a bit simpler, the relationship is g = a/r2.

Where a = Gm1m2
 


a) linearly to radius.

- for the second part question, in the equation r = re + h , how do u get the height of the everest
 
  • #10


saan100 said:
a) linearly to radius.

No, ok I'll give it to you. Gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the radius.
for the second part question, in the equation r = re + h , how do u get the height of the everest

Google.
 
  • #11


thanks for the help !
 
  • #12


saan100 said:
thanks for the help !

Do you understand the first bit regarding the relationship though? Could you explain it with reference to the equation?
 
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