What is the acceleration due to gravity on Ganymede?

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The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration due to gravity on Ganymede using the formula Fg = mg. A user initially struggles with the problem, given a mass of 13.7 kg and a weight of 50.4 N. After clarification, they correctly isolate the variable for acceleration due to gravity, resulting in g = 50.4 N / 13.7 kg, which equals approximately 3.69 m/s². The conversation emphasizes understanding Newton's laws and manipulating the formula to find the solution. Overall, the exchange highlights the process of applying basic physics principles to solve gravity-related questions.
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finding acceleration due to gravity

ok, i have no clue on what to do. Question: If a 13.7kg mass weighs 50.4N on the surface of ganymede. what is the acceleration due to gravity on ganymede? that's all the information that was in the question, I am really confused on how to do this question because it has no other imformation...if someone would tell me if there's any formula for this question that would be great :smile:
 
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Do you know Newton's laws of gravitation? If you have them, or any, look at those. If you still don't understand, post the laws you know and we will go from there. But look carefully for his laws. I'm sure they're in your textbook somewhere.
 
ok, the formulas i know are: Fg=mg, Fg=G (m1 m2 / R squared),
 
alright take your equation Fg=mg...this is all you need to solve for the accel due to gravity on ganymede
 
ok, one more problem, m=mass Fg=force of gravity g=accel due to gravity, that's what i understand them to mean, and i don't know what to do with the mass's, I am very very new at this stuff
 
Fg is measured in N, and then you need to manipulate the equation so g is isolated. Does that help?
 
so, g=Fg/m which would be g=13.7kg/50.4N =0.27m/s^2??
 
no, m=13.7 kg, Fg=50.4
 
ok, so its g=50.4N/13.7kg =3.69m/s^2
 
  • #10
yeah, that's more reasonable than 0.27, Ganymede is a moon, not an asteroid, and yeah, that's right, it's real easy once you get the hang of it.
 
  • #11
thank you soooooo much,
 
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