What is the Lagrange Point Between Jupiter and the Sun for a Space Probe?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the distance from Jupiter at which a space probe must be positioned so that the gravitational forces from Jupiter and the Sun are balanced. This involves concepts from gravitational physics and celestial mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the gravitational force formula to find the correct distance, questioning the accuracy of their calculations and the units used. There is also a discussion about the mean distance from Jupiter to the Sun and its implications on the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants are providing guidance on checking units and the correct interpretation of distances, while others are exploring different values for the distance from Jupiter to the Sun. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or answer yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the mean distance from Jupiter to the Sun and its variations, which may affect the calculations. There is mention of potential confusion regarding the distance values and their units.

Forceflow
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How far from Jupiter must a space probe be along a line toward the Sun so that the Sun's gravitational pull on the probe balances Jupiter's pull?

i know that i need to use m1/r2=m2/((2.78e-11)-r)squared
but my answers keep coming out wrong. For an answer, i got 2.4e7 km
 
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can someone help me?
 
Forceflow said:
How far from Jupiter must a space probe be along a line toward the Sun so that the Sun's gravitational pull on the probe balances Jupiter's pull?

i know that i need to use m1/r2=m2/((2.78e-11)-r)squared
but my answers keep coming out wrong. For an answer, i got 2.4e7 km
If 2.78e11 is the distance from the sun to Jupiter and m1 and m2 are the masses of the sun and Jupiter, you should be OK. Do you have the right units? Did you expand the square in the denominator correctly? Is that a negative exponent e-11? Surely it should not be.
 
Last edited:
yes, I'm sure i have the units correct. Its possible that the mean distance to the sun from Jupiter is 778e6.
 
Forceflow said:
yes, I'm sure i have the units correct. Its possible that the mean distance to the sun from Jupiter is 778e6.
I just looked it up and averaged the max and min and got 779e6Km.

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/jupiter/statistics.html

So I guess what you meant the first time was 7.78e11m rather tha 2.78e-11m. With this distance you should be getting a reasonable answer if the question is looking for the average. If its asking for the distance when Jupiter is foarthest from the sun, or perhaps closest, then obviouly the average will not do.
 

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