Weight of object below the Earth's surface

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the gravitational force acting on a 9.6-kg mass located 1.5 x 10^4 m above the Earth's center. Participants are exploring the implications of this scenario in the context of gravitational force calculations, particularly below the Earth's surface.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply Newton's law of universal gravitation and are questioning the validity of the provided answer of 17 N. There are discussions about the correct interpretation of the distance from the Earth's center and the units used in calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on using the gravitational force formula and have pointed out potential issues with unit conversions. There is an ongoing exploration of how to correctly apply the formula given the context of the problem, with multiple interpretations being discussed.

Contextual Notes

There is confusion regarding the distance measurement, with some participants suggesting that the answer may depend on whether the distance is interpreted in meters or kilometers. This has led to questions about the accuracy of the textbook answer and the assumptions made in the calculations.

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Homework Statement



Calculate the gravitational force acting on a 9.6-kg mass...?
1.5 x 10^4 m above Earth's center. How do i solve this??

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


the answer is 17N but i don't understand how
 
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Hi rrosa522. http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif

What is the equation for gravitational force between m1 and m2 spaced a distance r apart? If not in your textbook, use google.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This chap Isaac Newton had stuff like this figured out.
 
SteamKing said:
This chap Isaac Newton had stuff like this figured out.
i must admit that after reading this threads title i was disappointed by its content XD
 
try and use this equation:
F_{grav} = \frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{r^2}
Where m1 and m2 are two masses, r is a distance and G is a constant
 
_N3WTON_ said:
try and use this equation:
F_{grav} = \frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{r^2}
Where m1 and m2 are two masses, r is a distance and G is a constant
i tried the formula but i don't get 17N
 
rrosa522 said:
i tried the formula but i don't get 17N
you should have the mass of Earth (its probably in your textbook) we can call this m1, the other mass is given to you. You have the distance of the object, so enter these values into the formula given above
 
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Better yet, show me what you are entering in the formula
 
A distance of 1.5 x 10^4 m from the Earth's center is well below the Earth's surface, and within the inner core. How did you apply Newton's gravitational force law for that location? Show your work.

Where did your answer of 17N come from ?

Also, your thread title does not meet Physics Forums requirements; thread titles should be descriptive of the thread content, describing the problem or area of physics involved. Please note this for future questions that you post. I have changed the title to be more appropriate.
 
  • #10
I'm sorry, I read the problem as 1.5x10^4 from the Earth's surface...either way show how you are using the formula
 
  • #11
rrosa522 said:
i tried the formula but i don't get 17N
_N3WTON_ said:
I'm sorry, I read the problem as 1.5x10^4 from the Earth's surface...either way show how you are using the formula
(6.67x10^-11) (9.6) (5.97 x 10^24) /
(1.5 x 10^4)^2
the answer i get 1.70x10^7 N
(sorry i didnt add units in my solution, its just gets confusing for me)
the answer at the the back of my textbook is 17 N, i don't understand why
 
  • #12
gneill said:
A distance of 1.5 x 10^4 m from the Earth's center is well below the Earth's surface, and within the inner core. How did you apply Newton's gravitational force law for that location? Show your work.

Where did your answer of 17N come from ?

Also, your thread title does not meet Physics Forums requirements; thread titles should be descriptive of the thread content, describing the problem or area of physics involved. Please note this for future questions that you post. I have changed the title to be more appropriate.
(6.67x10^-11) (9.6) (5.97 x 10^24) /
(1.5 x 10^4)^2
the answer i get 1.70x10^7 N
the answer at the the back of my textbook is 17 N, i don't understand why
 
  • #13
The textbook is wrong if the radius that you specified is correct.

17 N would be correct if the given radius was in km not meters. That would place the 9.6 kg object well above the Earth's surface. Check the units on the given radius.
 
  • #14
let take one object as Earth and other as the object
there distance as 1.5 x 10^4
f=gM1m2/d^2
 
  • #15
you are using meters and kilometres. This is not giving correct answer due to this reason. Use either kilometres or metres only. to make the switch easy go from (1.5x10^4KM) to (1500x10^4M)
 
  • #16
physicsisfunfightme said:
you are using meters and kilometres. This is not giving correct answer due to this reason. Use either kilometres or metres only. to make the switch easy go from (1.5x10^4KM) to (1500x10^4M)
Hello, @physicsisfunfightme .

:welcome:

The thread you replied to is more than 7 years old.
 

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