Newton law of universal gravitation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration due to gravity on a planet with a specified diameter and density, as well as its moon's orbital period. Participants are exploring the application of gravitational formulas and the relationship between mass, volume, and gravitational force.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using the planet's diameter and density to find its mass and volume, but express difficulty in incorporating the moon's orbital information into the calculations. There is a suggestion to consider the gravitational force at the moon's distance from the planet.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants offering insights on the relationship between angular velocity and gravitational force. There is recognition of the need to clarify the units of acceleration due to gravity, as some confusion arises regarding the appropriate units for the calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the given data, including the planet's diameter, density, and the moon's orbital period, while questioning the assumptions related to the radius used in the gravitational formulas.

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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