The perfect spot between the Earth and the Moon

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding a specific point between the Earth and the Moon where the gravitational forces exerted by both bodies are equal. The original poster has derived a ratio involving the distances and masses of the Earth and Moon but is seeking clarification on how to simplify their equation to match a solution provided in a guide.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to isolate the distance to the Earth, ##R_E##, using a derived ratio and the total distance between the Earth and Moon. They express confusion over the complexity of their equation compared to a simpler form in the solutions manual.
  • Some participants suggest that the original poster can simplify their equation by multiplying by ##\sqrt{M_M}##, indicating a potential pathway to the solution.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaged in exploring the mathematical relationships involved in the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding simplification techniques, and the original poster expresses understanding after receiving feedback.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific gravitational equations and constants, as well as the challenge of formatting issues with LaTeX in the forum.

Calpalned
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Homework Statement


There exists a spaceship orbiting between the Moon and the Earth. Find the perfect spot where the gravity due to Earth is equal to the one caused by the Moon. I have already solved for the ratio ## \frac {R_E}{\sqrt{M_E}} = \frac {R_M}{\sqrt{M_M}} ##. ## R_E ## is the distance between the spaceship and the Earth while ##R_M## represents the distance between the ship and the Moon. Likewise ##M_M## and ##M_E## are masses. The next step in my solutions guide is ## R_E = \frac {(R_E + R_M)\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_E}+\sqrt{M_M}} ##. I don't understand how they got to that.

Homework Equations


1) Correct answer ## = R_E = 3.46 * 10^8 ## meters
2) Mass of the Moon ##=7.347*10^22##
3) Mass of the Earth ##=5.98*10^24##
4) Distance between Moon and Earth ##= R_E + R_M = 3.844*10^8##

The Attempt at a Solution


Using ratio I solved for in "The problem statement, all..." I tried to isolate ##R_E##
##R_E = \frac{R_M\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}} ##
From 4) from part 2 "Relevant equa..." I get that ##R_M = 3.844*10^8 - R_E##
Therefore ##R_E = \frac{(3.844*10^8 - R_E)\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}} ##
Thus ##R_E = (3.844*10^8)(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}}) - R_E(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}}) ##
##R_E + R_E(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}}) = (3.844*10^8)(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}}) ##
##R_E(1+(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}})) = (3.844*10^8)(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}}) ##
##R_E = \frac{(3.844*10^8)(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}})}{1+(\frac{\sqrt{M_E}}{\sqrt{M_M}})}##
While I did get the correct answer, my equation is so complicated. How do I turn it into the one given by the solutions manual?
 
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Latex refuses to load for some reason... Any solutions? Thanks everyone.
 

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Apart from using that specific number instead of ##R_E+R_M##, there is nothing different about your solution. All you have to do is multiply top and bottom by ##\sqrt{M_M}## to get the book answer.
 
PeroK said:
Apart from using that specific number instead of ##R_E+R_M##, there is nothing different about your solution. All you have to do is multiply top and bottom by ##\sqrt{M_M}## to get the book answer.
Now I see it! Thank you so much!
 

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