Newton law of universal gravitation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration due to gravity for a planet with a diameter of 1715 km and a density of 5254 kg/m³, which has a moon orbiting every 4.46 Earth days. Participants suggest using the planet's volume and mass derived from density to apply Newton's law of universal gravitation. There is confusion about incorporating the moon's orbital information into the calculations, particularly regarding the correct radius to use. Insights are shared on utilizing angular velocity instead of linear velocity to find the gravitational force acting on the moon. The conversation emphasizes that acceleration due to gravity should not be expressed in miles per hour, as that is a unit of velocity.
Tiven white
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Homework Statement



Having problems on the method of calculating the acceleration due to gravity of the planet.

A certain planet has a diameter of 1715 km and a density of 5254 kg/m³. The planet has a moon that orbits every 4.46 earth-days.
What is the acceleration due to gravity associated with this planet? Answer in units of miles/hour


Homework Equations



V = (4/3)*∏*(r)^3
V-volume r- radius

F = (G *M1*m2)/(r^2)
G - gravitational constant
r - radius

F = (m)*(v^2)/(r)
r-radius
V--velocity

The Attempt at a Solution



so after utilizing half the diameter given as the radius the formula for volume was used to calculate the volume of this planet. since density = mass/volume the equation was rearranged to find the mass of the planet. i am a bit stuck here since i find it difficult using the information for the orbit of the planet into this problem. any insights towards the solution for the acceleration would be appreciated.
 
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Tiven white said:
F = (G *M1*m2)/(r^2)
G - gravitational constant
r - radius
F = (m)*(v^2)/(r)
r-radius
V--velocity
OK, but not, in general, the same radius as in the previous formula, right?

It isn't entirely clear, but I assume you're being asked for the acceleration due to the planet's gravity at the moon's distance.
so after utilizing half the diameter given as the radius the formula for volume was used to calculate the volume of this planet. since density = mass/volume the equation was rearranged to find the mass of the planet. i am a bit stuck here since i find it difficult using the information for the orbit of the planet into this problem.
Let the distance from the moon to the centre of the planet be d.
In terms of that, what would the gravity at that distance be? What period of orbit would it give you?
 
Hi Tiven white! :smile:
Tiven white said:
A certain planet has a diameter of 1715 km and a density of 5254 kg/m³. The planet has a moon that orbits every 4.46 earth-days.

F = (G *M1*m2)/(r^2)
G - gravitational constant
r - radius

F = (m)*(v^2)/(r)
r-radius
V--velocity

… i find it difficult using the information for the orbit of the planet into this problem. any insights towards the solution for the acceleration would be appreciated.

you don't know v but you do know ω (the angular velocity), so use the alternative formula for centripetal force:
F = mω2r :wink:

(and that gives you two formulas for F, and there's only one value of r for which they're equal)
 
Acceleration due to gravity will not have units of miles per hour. Those are the units of velocity.
 
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