Undergrad Problem with gravitation field perpendicular vector.

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on the confusion regarding the expression for the gravitational field perpendicular vector, specifically why it is represented as -R G ρ/3 for a perfect sphere with uniform mass distribution. Participants question whether it should instead be -4/3 π R G ρ, highlighting a potential error in the professor's formulation. There is agreement among contributors that the professor's version appears incorrect. Clarifications are made, indicating a slight misunderstanding in the calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurate gravitational field equations in physics.
Abdu Ewais
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
since it is known that ##\vec{A_\perp} = -{mG \over R^2}## why did the professor write it as ##\vec{A_\perp} = {- R G \rho \over 3}## for perfect sphere with perfect mass distribution ? Shouldn't it be ##\vec{A_\perp} = -{4 \over 3} \pi R G \rho##? I need help thanks.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
If I understand your question, shouldn't that be a 4/3 instead of a 4? (But I agree that your professor's version seems off.)
 
  • Like
Likes Abdu Ewais
Doc Al said:
If I understand your question, shouldn't that be a 4/3 instead of a 4? (But I agree that your professor's version seems off.)
Sorry got it off by a bit there. fixed
 
I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
713
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K