Universal Gravitation questions

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the force of gravity on an object 5 Earth radii above the Earth's surface, one must use the gravitational force formula, which incorporates the mass of the planet and the distance from its center. The acceleration due to gravity on a planet can be determined using the formula a_grav = GM/r^2, where G is the gravitational constant, M is the planet's mass, and r is the distance from the planet's center. However, for the first scenario involving a spaceship, the object's mass does not factor into the gravitational force calculation directly. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between distance and gravitational force. Ultimately, the user resolved their confusion independently.
jshaner858
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1) if something is 5 Earth radii above the Earth's surface and you know its mass, how would you figure out force of gravity on it?

2)and given the radius and mass of a planet how would you be able to figure out the acceleration due to gravity on it?
 
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jshaner858 said:
1) if something is 5 Earth radii above the Earth's surface and you know its mass, how would you figure out force of gravity on it?

2)and given the radius and mass of a planet how would you be able to figure out the acceleration due to gravity on it?

<br /> a_{grav} = \frac{GM}{r^2}<br />

where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the planet, and r is the distance from the center of the planet.
 
that won't work for the first question...the object is a spaceship and there is nowhere in that equation to plug in its mass...
 
nevermind i figured it out myself...thanks
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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