Speed of a mass falling into a star given the mass and radius of the star

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a mass falling into a star using the gravitational formula. A participant attempted to use the equation but arrived at an incorrect result of 1.55*10^-5. Others suggest checking the calculations and emphasize the importance of including units in the equation. There is a consensus that ensuring proper unit usage is crucial for accurate results. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in applying gravitational equations in astrophysics.
TobiasZed
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement
Beginning at rest at an extremely large separation, a ball is released and allowed to fall toward a star of mass 3.90E+30 kg and radius 5.70E+7 m. What is the speed of the ball when it reaches the surface?
Relevant Equations
square root of (2*G*M)/(r)
I tried the square root of ((2)(6.67*10^-11)(3.90E+30))/(5.70E+7)
I got 1.55*10^-5 and that is wrong. Maybe I am using the wrong equation but this is the one of professor gave me and I don't know what I am doing wrong :-(
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Check your calculation.
 
… and use units!
 
Thread 'Chain falling out of a horizontal tube onto a table'
My attempt: Initial total M.E = PE of hanging part + PE of part of chain in the tube. I've considered the table as to be at zero of PE. PE of hanging part = ##\frac{1}{2} \frac{m}{l}gh^{2}##. PE of part in the tube = ##\frac{m}{l}(l - h)gh##. Final ME = ##\frac{1}{2}\frac{m}{l}gh^{2}## + ##\frac{1}{2}\frac{m}{l}hv^{2}##. Since Initial ME = Final ME. Therefore, ##\frac{1}{2}\frac{m}{l}hv^{2}## = ##\frac{m}{l}(l-h)gh##. Solving this gives: ## v = \sqrt{2g(l-h)}##. But the answer in the book...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
977
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
9K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K