# Homework Help: Orbit Q

1. May 27, 2010

### physics(L)10

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Two identical spaceships are sent to explore a planet with two moons. Each spaceship orbits one of the moons.

a)The orbital radii are observed such that the spaceship have the same period. What is the relative mass of the two moons if the two radii differ by a factor of 2.

b) If the two moons have a similar radius, what does this imply about their density? What does this tell you about how the moons were created?

2. Relevant equations
a=v^2/r
v=2pi^2/T
ma=Gm(Mearth)/r^2
F=Gm1m2/r^2

3. The attempt at a solution
a) 4pi^2/T^2=G(Mearth)/r^2
since T is the same, T=1

b) If the two moons have similar radius, then they should have different densities (if the relative masses are different in part a)

2. May 29, 2010

### tiny-tim

Hi physics(L)10!

(have a pi: π and try using the X2 and X2 tags just above the Reply box )
Not really following that … can you write it out more fully?

(and v = 2πr/T)
So where did they come from?

3. May 29, 2010

### physics(L)10

That was just a guess because I don't really have a clue on what to do, that's why you can't understand lol. I'm guessing they came from different planets. I can't answer b without knowing the answer to a though.

4. May 29, 2010

### tiny-tim

Hi physics(L)10!
ok, start with your two equations for acceleration, then eliminate the acceleration to get an equation relating v T and r …

show us all the steps.
Well, from different places … they needn't have come "from planets", they could have been part of the same gas disc that the planets were formed from, or they could have been limps knocked off planets, or they could have been comets etc from a long way away.

5. May 29, 2010

### physics(L)10

a=v^2/r, where v=2πr/T
Therefore, a=(2πr/T)^2/r=4π^2r/T^2

Then, you plug this value for a into the equation ma=GmMearth/r^2

b) Believe it or not I was actually thinking that lol.

6. May 29, 2010

### tiny-tim

(please use the X2 tag just above the Reply box )

ok, so your equation relating v T and r is … ?
We believe you … but the examiner needs you to say it.

7. May 29, 2010

### physics(L)10

The equation would be 4π2r3/T2=GMearth. Im guessing you have to isolate for r now, but Im confused on how to integrate that the periods are the same and the radii differ by a factor of 2.

8. May 30, 2010

### tiny-tim

Hi physics(L)10!

(just got up :zzz: …)
(earth? … is one of the moons called "earth"?! )

ok, this is now a dimensions question …

never mind the constants (4π2 and G), they don't matter

you're only interested in the powers of r M and T …

if you keep T the same and double r, what happens to M?

9. May 30, 2010

### physics(L)10

Lmao, Im used to putting earth. M gets bigger if you double the radius. So would one of the moons mass just be double the other moon and that would be your answer?

10. May 30, 2010

### tiny-tim

uhh?

r3/T2 = constant times M, so … ?

11. May 30, 2010

### physics(L)10

Ok, this is what I thought of first. When you cross multiply the T (which is constant) multiplies with M so you get M. Then you divide M by 2 and then cube root the answer and you get a smaller answer. But then I used common sense and thought that shouldnt the mass be larger if the radius is bigger?

12. May 30, 2010

### tiny-tim

hmm … doing it with equations is easier than doing it in English …

you have T2 = r3/M …

so, if T is constant, then r3/M is constant ……

does that help?

13. May 30, 2010

### physics(L)10

Not really lol. I was thinking more along the lines of r3=M and then cubed root M to find the radius. The T can be ignored since its a constant and is the same for both moons.

14. May 30, 2010

### tiny-tim

Yes, that's right … what is worrying you about that?

15. May 30, 2010

### physics(L)10

So one moon would just be half the mass?

16. May 30, 2010

### tiny-tim

How did you get that?

17. May 30, 2010

### physics(L)10

One would be r3=M and the other would be 2r3=M which is r3=M/2

18. May 31, 2010

### tiny-tim

Sorry, but you'll never be able to do these questions in the exam if you don't learn to tidy up your notation. You can't keep using "r" for everything without losing track.

Your basic formula is r3 = kM (for a constant k).

Now you can put values in for each of the two satellites, making …

r13 = kM1
r23 = kM2

and you are given the relationship r2 = 2r1.

Try it that way.

19. May 31, 2010

### physics(L)10

One would be r13=kM1 and the other would be 2r23=kM2 which is r23=kM2/2

20. May 31, 2010

### tiny-tim

Nooo!

It's still only r23=kM2

that's the point of a formula!