Calculating Mass of the Moon with Apollo 11 Data

  • Thread starter Thread starter leyyee
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mass Moon
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the mass of the Moon using Apollo 11 data, specifically the spacecraft's mass, orbital period, and distances from the Moon's center. Participants reference Kepler's laws and gravitational equations to derive the Moon's mass, confirming that the semi-major axis is essential for the calculations. The average distance from the Moon's center is calculated as 1849.5 km, which is used in the mass determination. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding Kepler's third law in this context. Ultimately, the participants collaboratively clarify the necessary steps to solve the problem.
leyyee
Messages
21
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Before landing men on the moon, Apollo 11 space vehicle was put into orbit about the moon. The mass of the vehicle was 9979kg and the period of the orbit was 119 min. The maximum and minimum distances from the center of the moon were 1861 km and 1838km . Assuming the moon to be a uniform spherical body, what is the mass of the moon according to these data?


Homework Equations



GMm/R^2
elliptic equation?


The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using the kepler's law and Gravitational equation.. It seems I can't get the mass of the moon. Anyone can help me through?

thankx
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Period, distance and mass will suggest Newton's version of Keplers's third law. You will have to work out what the semi major axis is though.
 
is the semi major axis the radius for the r^3 in the kepler's thrid law? I use the (1861+1838)/2 is correct that this is the value for r? 1849.5?

thank for replying..
 
Last edited:
Yes Kepler's 3rd is based on the semi major axis. You have correctly worked it out.
 
thanks then I think I got of correct d.. Thanks..
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'
TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
Thread 'Trying to understand the logic behind adding vectors with an angle between them'
My initial calculation was to subtract V1 from V2 to show that from the perspective of the second aircraft the first one is -300km/h. So i checked with ChatGPT and it said I cant just subtract them because I have an angle between them. So I dont understand the reasoning of it. Like why should a velocity be dependent on an angle? I was thinking about how it would look like if the planes where parallel to each other, and then how it look like if one is turning away and I dont see it. Since...
Back
Top