Newton's Law of Gravity question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of an unknown planet based on an astronaut's jump. The astronaut's initial speed and jump height are used to determine the planet's gravitational acceleration using the formula vf² = v₀² + 2aΔX. The calculated acceleration was found to be 9 m/s², which raised concerns due to the planet's radius of 3560 m. Participants emphasized that this acceleration relates to the planet's mass and radius according to Newton's law of gravitation, suggesting that the density of the planet could differ from Earth's. The conversation highlights the need to connect gravitational acceleration to mass and radius for a complete solution.
cyspope
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Homework Statement


An astronaut lands on an unknown planet with a radius of 3560 m. When she jumps upward with an initial speed of 3.00m/s she rises to a height of 0.50 m. What is the mass of the planet?


Homework Equations



vf2 = v02 + 2a\DeltaX


The Attempt at a Solution



In order to find the acceleration(gravity of the planet in this case) of the astronaut, I used following formula.

vf2 = v02 + 2a\DeltaX

If I solve for 'a', then I get

a = (vf2-vo2) / 2\DeltaX

I pluged in the numbers,

a = (9m/s) / 2(0.5 m) = 9 m/s2

which doesn't make sense because the radius of the planet is only 3560 m.

please help me what to do next.
 
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cyspope said:

Homework Statement


An astronaut lands on an unknown planet with a radius of 3560 m. When she jumps upward with an initial speed of 3.00m/s she rises to a height of 0.50 m. What is the mass of the planet?


Homework Equations



vf2 = v02 + 2a\DeltaX


The Attempt at a Solution



In order to find the acceleration(gravity of the planet in this case) of the astronaut, I used following formula.

vf2 = v02 + 2a\DeltaX

If I solve for 'a', then I get

a = (vf2-vo2) / 2\DeltaX

I pluged in the numbers,

a = (9m/s) / 2(0.5 m) = 9 m/s2

which doesn't make sense because the radius of the planet is only 3560 m.

please help me what to do next.

Newton's law of gravitation gives the acceleration at a given radius from the center of a given spherical mass. You have the acceleration and the radius so find the mass.

Remember the density needn't be the same as Earth's if that is what worries you. Maybe the planet has more metal in its core.
 
cyspope said:
I pluged in the numbers,

a = (9m/s) / 2(0.5 m) = 9 m/s2

which doesn't make sense because the radius of the planet is only 3560 m.
Why doesn't it make sense?

Hint: You found the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the planet. How does that relate to the mass and radius of the planet?
 
thank you everyone
 
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