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Gravity
Conceptual Problems
(a)
For Keplers law of equal areas to be valid, the force of gravity must vary
inversely with the square of the distance between a given planet and the
Sun.
The planet closest to the Sun has the shortest orbital period.
Venuss orbital speed is larger than the orbital speed of Earth.
The orbital period of a planet allows accurate determination of that planets
mass.
(b)
(c)
(d)
[SSM]
True or false:
(a) False. Keplers law of equal areas is a consequence of the fact that the
gravitational force acts along the line joining two bodies but is independent
of the manner in which the force varies with distance.
(b) True. The periods of the planets vary with the three-halves power of their
distances from the Sun. So the shorter the distance from the Sun, the shorter the
period of the planets motion.
(c) True. Setting up a proportion involving the orbital speeds of the two planets in
terms of their orbital periods and mean distances from the Sun (see Table 11-1)
shows that vVenus = 1.17vEarth .
(d) False. The orbital period of a planet is independent of the planets mass.
2
GMm
v2
=
m
r
r2
where M is the mass of the object the
satellite is orbiting and m is the mass of
the satellite.
Fradial =
1101
1102
Chapter 11
v=
GM
r
Thus the speed of the satellite is independent of its mass and (c) is correct.
3
Haleys comet is in a highly elliptical orbit about the Sun with a period
of about 76 y. Its last closest approach to the Sun occurred in 1987. In what years
of the twentieth century was it traveling at its fastest or slowest orbital speed
about the Sun?
Determine the Concept Haleys comet was traveling at its fastest orbital speed in
1987, and at its slowest orbital speed 38 years previously in 1949.
5
Gravity
a'
1
r2
1
RM2
a' RM2
= 2
a
r
a' =
1103
RM2
RM2
=
a = 161 a
a
2
r2
(4 RM )
and (d ) is correct.
8
g 1r =
2
GM'
( 12 r )
4GM'
r2
g=
g 1r
GM
r2
4GM'
2
4M'
2
= r
=
GM
M
g
2
r
(1)
1104 Chapter 11
M' = V' = 43 ( 12 r ) = 16 r 3
M = V = 43 r 3 = 43 r 3
g 1r
and
4 16 r 3
=
3
4
3 r
(c )
1
2
is correct.
Two stars orbit their common center of mass as a binary star system.
If each of their masses were doubled, what would have to happen to the distance
between them in order to maintain the same gravitational force? The distance
would have to (a) remain the same (b) double (c) quadruple (d) be reduced by a
factor of 2 (e) You cannot determine the answer based on the data given.
Picture the Problem We can use Newtons law of gravity to express the ratio of
the forces and then solve this proportion for the separation of the stars that would
maintain the same gravitational force.
Fg =
GmM
r2
Fg' =
Fg'
r' = 2r and
4GmM
2
4r 2
r'
=1=
= 2
GmM
r'
Fg
2
r
(b )
is correct.
10
If you had been working for NASA in the 1960s and planning the trip
to the moon, you would have determined that there exists a unique location
somewhere between Earth and the moon, where a spaceship is, for an instant,
truly weightless. [Consider only the moon, Earth and the Apollo spaceship, and
Gravity
1105
neglect other gravitational forces.] Explain this phenomenon and explain whether
this location is closer to the moon, midway on the trip, or closer to Earth.
Determine the Concept Between Earth and the moon, the gravitational pulls on
the spaceship are oppositely directed. Because of the moons relatively small
mass compared to the mass of Earth, the location where the gravitational forces
cancel (thus producing no net gravitational force, a weightless condition) is
considerably closer to the moon.
11
[SSM] Suppose the escape speed from a planet was only slightly
larger than the escape speed from Earth, yet the planet is considerably larger than
Earth. How would the planets (average) density compare to Earths (average)
density? (a) It must be denser. (b) It must be less dense. (c) It must be the same
density. (d) You cannot determine the answer based on the data given.
Picture the Problem The densities of the planets are related to the escape speeds
from their surfaces through ve = 2GM R .
vplanet =
vEarth =
2GM planet
Rplanet
2GM Earth
REarth
2GM planet
vplanet
v Earth
Rplanet
2GM Earth
REarth
REarth M planet
Rplanet M Earth
REarth M planet
Rplanet M Earth
REarth M planet
Rplanet M Earth
1106 Chapter 11
Express Mplanet and MEarth in terms of their densities and simplify to obtain:
1
2
3
REarth planetVplanet REarth planetVplanet REarth planet 43 Rplanet planet Rplanet
=
=
=
2
3
Rplanet EarthVEarth
Rplanet EarthVEarth
Rplanet Earth 43 REarth
Earth REarth
2
planet REarth
2
Earth Rplanet
planet
<< 1
Earth
and
(b )
is correct.
12
Suppose that, using a telescope in your backyard, you discovered a
distant object approaching the Sun, and were able to determine both its distance
from the Sun and its speed. How would you be able to predict whether the object
will remain bound to the Solar System, or if it is an interstellar interloper and
would come in, turn around and escape, never to return?
Determine the Concept You could take careful measurements of its position as a
function of time in order to determine whether its trajectory is an ellipse, a
hyperbola, or a parabola. If the path is an ellipse, it will return; if its path is
hyperbolic or parabolic, it will not return. Alternatively, by measuring its distance
from the Sun, you can estimate the gravitational potential energy (per kg of its
mass, and neglecting the planets) of the object, and by determining its position on
several successive nights, the speed of the object can be determined. From this, its
kinetic energy (per kg) can be determined. The sum of these two gives the
comets total energy (per kg) and if it is positive, it will likely swing once around
the Sun and then leave the Solar System forever.
13
[SSM] Near the end of their useful lives, several large Earth-orbiting
satellites have been maneuvered so they burn up as they enter Earths atmosphere.
These maneuvers have to be done carefully so large fragments do not impact
populated land areas. You are in charge of such a project. Assuming the satellite
of interest has on-board propulsion, in what direction would you fire the rockets
for a short burn time to start this downward spiral? What would happen to the
kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy and total mechanical energy
following the burn as the satellite came closer and closer to Earth?
Gravity
1107
Determine the Concept You should fire the rocket in a direction to oppose the
orbital motion of the satellite. As the satellite gets closer to Earth after the burn,
the potential energy will decrease. However, the total mechanical energy will
decrease due to the frictional drag forces transforming mechanical energy into
thermal energy. The kinetic energy will increase until the satellite enters the
atmosphere where the drag forces slow its motion.
During a trip back from the moon, the Apollo spacecraft fires its
14
rockets to leave its lunar orbit. Then it coasts back to Earth where it enters the
atmosphere at high speed, survives a blazing re-entry and parachutes safely into
the ocean. In what direction do you fire the rockets to initiate this return trip?
Explain the changes in kinetic energy, gravitational potential and total mechanical
energy that occur to the spacecraft from the beginning to the end of this journey.
Determine the Concept Near the moon you would fire the rockets to accelerate
the spacecraft with the thrust acting in the direction of your ships velocity at the
time. When the rockets have shut down, as you leave the moon, your kinetic
energy will initially decrease (the moons gravitational pull exceeds that of Earth),
and your potential energy will increase. After a certain point, Earths gravitational
attraction would begin accelerating the ship and the kinetic energy would increase
at the expense of the gravitational potential energy of the spacecraft-Earth-moon
system. The spacecraft will enter Earths atmosphere with its maximum kinetic
energy. Eventually, landing in the ocean, the kinetic energy would be zero, the
gravitational potential energy a minimum, and the total mechanical energy of the
ship will have been dramatically reduced due to air drag forces producing heat
and light during re-entry.
15
Explain why the gravitational field inside a solid sphere of uniform
mass is directly proportional to r rather than inversely proportional to r.
Determine the Concept At a point inside the sphere a distance r from its center,
the gravitational field strength is directly proportional to the amount of mass
within a distance r from the center, and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance r from the center. The mass within a distance r from the center is
proportional to the cube of r. Thus, the gravitational field strength is directly
proportional to r.
16
In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, a spaceship containing two
astronauts is on a long-term mission to Jupiter. A model of their ship could be a
uniform pencil-like rod (containing the propulsion systems) with a uniform sphere
(the crew habitat and flight deck) attached to one end (Figure 11-23). The design
is such that the radius of the sphere is much smaller than the length of the rod. At
a location a few meters away from the ship, at point P on the perpendicular
bisector of the rod-like section, what would be the direction of the gravitational
field due to the ship alone (that is, assuming all other gravitational fields are
1108 Chapter 11
negligible)? Explain your answer. At a large distance from the ship, what would
be the dependence of its gravitational field on the distance from the ship?
Determine the Concept The pictorial representation shows the point of interest P
r
r
and the gravitational fields grod and gsphere due to the rod and the sphere as well as
r
r
r
the resultant field gnet . Note that the net field (the sum of grod and gsphere ) points
slightly toward the habitat end of the ship. At very large distances, the rod+sphere
mass distribution looks like a point mass, so the fields distance dependence is an
inverse square dependence.
r
g rod
r
gsphere
r
gnet
T2 =
4 2 3 M G
4 2 R03
R0
=
M S GM ST 2
GM G
9.461 1015 m
4
4 3.00 10 c y
y
c
MG
=
2
2
Ms
11 N m
30
6
7 s
6.6742 10
1.99 10 kg 250 10 y 3.156 10
kg 2
y
Gravity
1109
18
Besides studying samples of the lunar surface, the Apollo astronauts
had several ways of determining that the moon is not made of green cheese.
Among these ways are measurements of the gravitational acceleration at the lunar
surface. Estimate the gravitational acceleration at the lunar surface if the moon
were, in fact, a solid block of green cheese and compare it to the known value of
the gravitational acceleration at the lunar surface.
Picture the Problem The density of a planet or other object determines the
strength of the gravitational force it exerts on other objects. We can use Newtons
law of gravity to express the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the moon
as a function of the density of the moon. Estimating the density of cheese will
then allow us to calculate what the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the
moon would be if the moon were made of cheese. Finally, we can compare this
value to the measured value of 1.62 m/s2.
Fg = mag =
ag,cheese =
ag,cheese
GmM
GM
ag = 2
2
rmoon
rmoon
G cheeseVmoon
2
rmoon
3
G cheese 43 rmoon
=
2
rmoon
4
G cheese rmoon
3
1 kg 10 6 cm 3
1.738 10 6 m
3
3
10 g
m
4
6.673 10 11 N m 2 / kg 2
3
) 0.80 cmg
= 0.39 m/s 2
ag,cheese
0.388 m/s 2
=
= 0.24
1.62 m/s 2
ag,moon
or
ag,cheese 0.24ag,moon
19
You are in charge of the first manned exploration of an asteroid. You
are concerned that, due to the weak gravitational field and resulting low escape
speed, tethers might be required to bind the explorers to the surface of the
1110 Chapter 11
asteroid. Therefore, if you do not wish to use tethers, you have to be careful about
which asteroids to choose to explore. Estimate the largest radius the asteroid can
have that would still allow you to escape its surface by jumping. Assume
spherical geometry and reasonable rock density.
Picture the Problem The density of an asteroid determines the strength of the
gravitational force it exerts on other objects. We can use the equation for the
escape speed from an asteroid of mass Masteroid and radius Rasteroid to derive an
expression for the radius of an asteroid as a function of its escape speed and
density. We can approximate the escape speed from the asteroid by determining
ones push-off speed for a jump at the surface of Earth.
ve,asteroid =
ve,asteroid
3
2G asteroid 43 Rasteroid
=
Rasteroid
2GM asteroid
Rasteroid
Rasteroid =
8
3
G asteroid Rasteroid
ve,asteroid
8
3
(1)
G asteroid
Using a constant-acceleration
equation, relate the height h to which
you can jump on the surface of Earth
to your push-off speed:
v 2 = v02 2 gh
or, because v = 0,
0 = v02 2 gh v0 = 2 gh
Rasteroid =
2 gh
8
3
G asteroid
3gh
4G asteroid
Assuming that you can jump 0.75 m and that the average density of an asteroid is
3.0 g/cm3, substitute numerical values and evaluate Rasteroid :
Rasteroid =
4 6.673 10 11
N m / kg 3.0 3 3
3
cm
10
g
m
20
Gravity
1111
as the star and planet orbit around their common center of mass. (This is
measured using the Doppler effect, which is discussed in Chapter 15.) Both the
period of this motion and the variation in the speed of the star over the course of
time can be determined observationally. The mass of the star is found from its
observed luminance and from the theory of stellar structure. Iota Draconis is the
8th brightest star in the constellation Draco. Observations show that a planet, with
an orbital period of 1.50 y, is orbiting this star. The mass of Iota Draconis is
1.05MSun. (a) Estimate the size (in AU) of the semimajor axis of this planets
orbit. (b) The radial speed of the star is observed to vary by 592 m/s. Use
conservation of momentum to find the mass of the planet. Assume the orbit is
circular, we are observing the orbit edge-on, and no other planets orbit Iota
Draconis. Express the mass as a multiple of the mass of Jupiter.
Picture the Problem We can use Keplers third law to find the size of the semimajor axis of the planets orbit and the conservation of momentum to find its
mass.
(a) Using Keplers third law, relate the period of this planet T to the length
r of its semi-major axis and simplify to obtain:
T2 =
4 2
GM Iota Draconis
r3 =
4 2
Ms
M
G Iota Draconis
Ms
r3 =
4 2
GM s
M Iota Draconis
Ms
4 2
1
= 1 and T 2 =
r3
M Iota Draconis
MGs
Ms
r=3
M Iota Draconis 2
T
Ms
1.05 M s
r = 3
Ms
mv = M Iota DraconisV
r3
m = M Iota Draconis
(1.50 y )2 = 1.33 AU
V
v
(1)
1112 Chapter 11
The speed v of the orbiting planet is
given by:
Substitute numerical values and
evaluate v:
v=
d 2r
=
T
t
1.50 1011 m
2 1.33 AU
AU
v=
365.24 d 24 h 3600 s
1.50 y
y
d
h
= 2.648 10 4 m/s
296 m/s
m = (1.05M sun )
4
2.648 10 m/s
= (1.05) 1.99 10 30 kg (0.0112 )
= 2.336 10 28 kg
m 2.336 10 28 kg
= 12.3
=
M J 1.90 10 27 kg
or
m = 12.3M J
Gravity
1113
Jupiters and Saturns angular momentum to the Sun, what would be the Suns
new rotational period? The Sun is not a uniform sphere of gas, and its moment of
inertia is given by the formula I = 0.059MR2. Compare this to the maximum
rotational period of Part (a).
Picture the Problem We can apply Newtons law of gravity to estimate the
maximum angular speed that the Sun can have if it is to stay together and use the
definition of angular momentum to find the orbital angular momenta of Jupiter
and Saturn. In Part (c) we can relate the final angular speed of the Sun to its initial
angular speed, its moment of inertia, and the orbital angular momenta of Jupiter
and Saturn.
m 2 RS <
GM Sm
RS2
or
GM S
GM S
<
2
RS
RS3
where weve used the inequality
because were estimating the maximum
angular speed which the sun can have if
it is to stay together.
2 RS <
<
(6.673 10
11
)(
m)
(6.96 10
Tmax =
)=
=
6.28 10 4 rad/s
2
6.28 10 4 rad/s
= 1.00 10 4 s
1h
= 2.78 h
3600 s
LJ = mJ rJ vJ and LS = mS rSvS
vJ =
2 rJ
2 rS
and vS =
TJ
TS
LJ =
2 mJ rJ2
2 mS rS2
and LS =
TJ
TS
Substitute to obtain:
1114 Chapter 11
Substitute numerical values and evaluate LJ and LS:
)(
)(
11.9 y
y
d
h
= 1.93 10 43 kg m 2 /s
and
29.5 y
y
d
h
= 7.85 10 42 kg m 2 /s
Express the angular momentum of
the Sun as a fraction of the sum of
the angular momenta of Jupiter and
Saturn:
Lsun
1.91 10 41 kg m 2 /s
=
LJ + LS (19.3 + 7.85) 10 42 kg m 2 /s
= 0.70 %
2
TSun =
Lf = Li + LJ + LS
or
I Sun f = I Sun i + LJ + LS
f = i +
f =
(1)
LJ + LS
I sun
LJ + LS
2
+
2
TSun 0.059M sun Rsun
(19.3 + 7.85) 10 42 kg m 2 /s
2
+
24 h 3600 s 0.059 1.99 10 30 kg 6.96 10 8 m
30 d
d
h
4
= 4.798 10 rad/s
f =
)(
Gravity
Substitute numerical values in
equation (1) and evaluate TSun:
TSun =
1115
2
rad 3600 s
4.798 10 4
s
h
= 3.64 h
Compare this to the maximum
rotational period of Part (a).
TSun 3.64 h
=
= 1.31
Tmax 2.78 h
or
TSun = 1.31Tmax
Keplers Laws
22
The new comet Alex-Casey has a very elliptical orbit with a period of
127.4 y. If the closest approach of Alex-Casey to the Sun is 0.1 AU, what is its
greatest distance from the Sun?
Picture the Problem We can use the relationship between the semi-major axis
and the distances of closest approach and greatest separation, together with
Keplers third law, to find the greatest separation of Alex-Casey from the Sun.
R=
x + 0.1AU
x = 2 R 0.1 AU (1)
2
T 2 = R3 R = 3 T 2
x = 23 T 2 0.1 AU
23
The radius of Earths orbit is 1.496 1011 m and that of Uranus is
2.87 1012 m. What is the orbital period of Uranus?
Picture the Problem We can use Keplers third law to relate the orbital period of
Uranus to the orbital period of Earth.
1116
Chapter 11
2
Uranus
4 2 3
=
rUranus
GM Sun
.
2
=
TEarth
4 2 3
rEarth
GM Sun
2
TUranus
2
TEarth
4 2 3
rUranus
3
rUranus
GM Sun
=
=
3
4 2 3
rEarth
rEarth
GM Sun
TUranus
r
= TEarth Uranus
rEarth
TUranus
2.87 1012 m
= (1.00 y )
11
1.496 10 m
32
32
= 84.0 y
24
The asteroid Hektor, discovered in 1907, is in a nearly circular orbit of
radius 5.16 AU about the Sun. Determine the period of this asteroid.
Picture the Problem We can use Keplers third law to relate the orbital period of
Hector to the orbital period of Earth.
2
THector
=
2
TEarth
=
2
THector
2
TEarth
4 2 3
rHector
GM Sun
4 2 3
rEarth
GM Sun
4 2 3
rHector
3
rHector
GM Sun
=
=
3
4 2 3
rEarth
rEarth
GM Sun
Gravity
Solve for THector to obtain:
1117
32
THector
r
= TEarth Hector
rEarth
THector
5.16 AU
= (1.00 y )
1.00 AU
32
= 11.7 y
25
[SSM] One of the so-called Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt
occurs at an orbital radius at which the period of the orbit is half that of Jupiters.
The reason there is a gap for orbits of this radius is because of the periodic pulling
(by Jupiter) that an asteroid experiences at the same place in its orbit every other
orbit around the sun. Repeated tugs from Jupiter of this kind would eventually
change the orbit of such an asteroid. Therefore, all asteroids that would otherwise
have orbited at this radius have presumably been cleared away from the area due
to this resonance phenomenon. How far from the Sun is this particular 2:1
resonance Kirkwood gap?
Picture the Problem The period of an orbit is related to its semi-major axis (for
circular orbits this distance is the orbital radius). Because we know the orbital
periods of Jupiter and a hypothetical asteroid in the Kirkwood gap, we can use
Keplers third law to set up a proportion relating the orbital periods and average
distances of Jupiter and the asteroid from the Sun from which we can obtain an
expression for the orbital radius of an asteroid in the Kirkwood gap.
2
Jupiter
4 2 3
rJupiter
=
GM Sun
2
TKirkwood
=
2
TKirkwood
2
TJupiter
rKirkwood
4 2 3
rKirkwood
GM Sun
4 2 3
rKirkwood
3
rKirkwood
GM Sun
=
= 3
4 2 3
rJupiter
rJupiter
GM Sun
= rJupiter Kirkwood
T
Jupiter
23
1118 Chapter 11
Because the period of the orbit of an
asteroid in the Kirkwood gap is half
that of Jupiters:
1T
= 77.8 10 m 2 Jupiter
T
Jupiter
rKirkwood
10
23
= 4.90 1011 m
= 4.90 1011 m
1 AU
1.50 1011 m
= 3.27 AU
Remarks: There are also significant Kirkwood gaps at 3:1, 5:2, and 7:3 and
resonances at 2.5 AU, 2.82 AU, and 2.95 AU.
26
The tiny Saturnian moon, Atlas, is locked into what is known as an
orbital resonance with another moon, Mimas, whose orbit lies outside of Atlass.
The ratio between periods of these orbits is 3:2 that means, for every 3 orbits of
Atlas, Mimas completes 2 orbits. Thus, Atlas, Mimas and Saturn are aligned at
intervals equal to two orbital periods of Atlas. If Mimas orbits Saturn at a radius
of 186,000 km, what is the radius of Atlass orbit?
Picture the Problem The period of an orbit is related to its semi-major axis (for
circular orbits this distance is the orbital radius). Because we know the orbital
periods of Atlas and Mimas, we can use Keplers third law to set up a proportion
relating the orbital periods and average distances from Saturn of Atlas and Mimas
from which we can obtain an expression for the radius of Atlass orbit.
2
=
TAtlas
4 2
3
rAtlas
GM Saturn
2
=
TMimas
2
TMimas
2
TAtlas
rAtlas
4 2
3
rMimas
GM Saturn
4 2
3
rMimas
3
rMimas
GM Saturn
=
=
3
4 2
rAtlas
3
rAtlas
GM Saturn
= rMimas Atlas
TMimas
23
Gravity
Because for every 3 orbits of Atlas,
Mimas has completed 2:
2
= 1.86 10 km
3
rAtlas
1119
23
= 1.42 105 km
27
The asteroid Icarus, discovered in 1949, was so named because its
highly eccentric elliptical orbit brings it close to the Sun at perihelion. The
eccentricity e of an ellipse is defined by the relation rp = a(1 e), where rp is the
perihelion distance and a is the semimajor axis. Icarus has an eccentricity of 0.83
and a period of 1.1 y. (a) Determine the semimajor axis of the orbit of Icarus.
(b) Find the perihelion and aphelion distances of the orbit of Icarus.
Picture the Problem Keplers third law relates the period of Icarus to the length
of its semimajor axis. The aphelion distance ra is related to the perihelion distance
rp and the semimajor axis by ra + rp = 2a.
T2 =
T2
4 2 3
a a = 3
GM Sun
C
where C =
4 2
= 2.973 10 19 s 2 /m3 .
GM Sun
365.24 d 24 h 3600 s
1.1y
3
y
d
h
a=
2.973 10 19 s 2 /m 3
= 1.6 1011 m
rp = a (1 e )
1120
Chapter 11
28
A manned mission to Mars and its attendant problems due to the
extremely long time the astronauts would spend weightless and without supplies
in space have been extensively discussed. To examine this issue in a simple way,
consider one possible trajectory for the spacecraft: the Hohmann transfer orbit.
This orbit consists of an elliptical orbit tangent to the orbit of Earth at its
perihelion and tangent to the orbit of Mars at its aphelion. Given that Mars has a
mean distance from the Sun of 1.52 times the mean SunEarth distance, calculate
the time spent by the astronauts during the out-bound part of the trip to Mars.
Many adverse biological effects (such as muscle atrophy, decreased bone density,
etc.) have been observed in astronauts returning from near-Earth orbit after only a
few months in space. As the flight doctor, are there any health issues you should
be aware of?
Picture the Problem The Hohmann transfer orbit is shown in the diagram. We
can apply Keplers third law to relate the time-in-orbit to the period of the
spacecraft in its Hohmann Earth-to-Mars orbit. The period of this orbit is, in turn,
a function of its semi-major axis, which we can find from the average of the
lengths of the semi-major axes of Earth and Mars orbits.
T 2 = R3 T = R3
where T is in years and R is in AU.
t out -bound = 12 T =
R=
1
2
R3
1.52 AU + 1.00 AU
= 1.26 AU
2
Gravity
Substitute numerical values and
evaluate tout-bound:
t out -bound =
1
2
1121
(1.26 AU)3
= 0.707 y
365.24 d
1y
= 258 d
In order for bones and muscles to maintain their health, they need to be under
compression as they are on Earth. Due to the long duration (well over a year) of
the round trip, you would want to design an exercise program that would maintain
the strength of their bones and muscles.
29
[SSM] Kepler determined distances in the Solar System from his
data. For example, he found the relative distance from the Sun to Venus (as
compared to the distance from the Sun to Earth) as follows. Because Venuss
orbit is closer to the Sun than is Earths orbit, Venus is a morning or evening
starits position in the sky is never very far from the Sun (Figure 11-24). If we
suppose the orbit of Venus is a perfect circle, then consider the relative orientation
of Venus, Earth, and the Sun at maximum extension, that is when Venus is
farthest from the Sun in the sky. (a) Under this condition, show that angle b in
Figure 11-24 is 90. (b) If the maximum elongation angle a between Venus and
the Sun is 47, what is the distance between Venus and the Sun in AU? (c) Use
this result to estimate the length of a Venusian year.
Picture the Problem We can use a property of lines tangent to a circle and radii
drawn to the point of contact to show that b = 90. Once weve established that b
is a right angle we can use the definition of the sine function to relate the distance
from the Sun to Venus to the distance from the Sun to Earth.
(a) The line from Earth to Venus' orbit is tangent to the orbit of Venus at the point
of maximum extension. Venus will appear farther from the Sun in Earths sky
when it passes the line drawn from Earth that is tangent to its orbit.
Hence b = 90
(b) Using trigonometry, relate the
distance from the Sun to Venus dSV
to the angle a:
Substitute numerical values and
evaluate dSV :
(c) Use Keplers third law to relate
Venuss orbital period to its mean
distance from the Sun:
sin a =
d SV
d SV = d SE sin a
d SE
4 2 3
=
rVenus
GM Sun
1122
Chapter 11
2
Earth
4 2 3
=
rEarth
GM Sun
2
TVenus
2
TEarth
4 2 3
rVenus
3
GM Sun
rVenus
=
=
3
4 2 3
rEarth
rEarth
GM Sun
TVenus
= TEarth Venus
rEarth
TVenus
0.731 AU
= (1.00 y )
1.00 AU
32
32
= 0.63 y
Remarks: The correct distance from the sun to Venus is closer to 0.723 AU.
30
At apogee the center of the moon is 406,395 km from the center of
Earth and at perigee the moon is 357,643 km from the center of Earth. What is the
orbital speed of the moon at perigee and at apogee? The mass of Earth is
5.98 1024 kg.
Picture the Problem Because the gravitational force Earth exerts on the moon is
along the line joining their centers, the net torque acting on the moon is zero and
its angular momentum is conserved in its orbit about Earth. Because energy is
also conserved, we can combine these two expressions to solve for either vp or va
initially and then use conservation of angular momentum to find the other.
mv p rp = mva ra va =
1
2
mv 2p
rp
ra
GMm 1 2 GMm
= 2 mva
rp
ra
or
1
2
v 2p
vp
GM 1 2 GM
= 2 va
rp
ra
(1)
Gravity
Substitute for va to obtain:
1123
GM 1 rp GM
v
= 2 v p
rp
ra
ra
2
p
1
2
rp
=
ra
1
2
2GM
rp
vp =
2 GM
v p
ra
1+ r r
p
a
vp =
3.576 10 m
3.576 10 m
1+
8
4.064 10 m
11
)(
24
va =
3.576 10 8 m
(1.09 km/s)
4.064 10 8 m
= 959 m/s
4 2 3
4 2 3
T =
RE M J =
RE
GM J
GTE2
2
E
1124
Chapter 11
4 2 6.71 10 8 m
(6.673 10
3
2
= 1.90 10 27 kg
24 h 3600 s
N m 2 /kg 2 3.55 d
d
h
Note that this result is in excellent agreement with the accepted value of
1.9021027 kg.
11
2R
2
v
4 2 R
T
acentripetal =
=
=
R
R
T2
where R and T are the radii and periods
of their motion.
aE =
4 2 RE
4 2 RC
and
=
a
C
TE2
TC2
4 2 RE
TC2 RE
aE
TE2
=
=
aC 4 2 RC TE2 RC
TC2
a E CRC3 RE RC2
=
=
aC CRE3 RC RE2
This result, together with the fact that the gravitational force is directly
proportional to the acceleration of the moons, demonstrates that the gravitational
force varies inversely with the square of the distance.
32
Some people think that shuttle astronauts are weightless because
they are beyond the pull of Earths gravity. In fact, this is completely untrue.
(a) What is the magnitude of the gravitational field in the vicinity of a shuttle
orbit? A shuttle orbit is about 400 km above the ground. (b) Given the answer in
Part (a), explain why shuttle astronauts do suffer from adverse biological affects
such as muscle atrophy even though they are actually not weightless?
Gravity
1125
mg shuttle =
g shuttle =
GmM E
(h + RE )2
GM E
(h + RE )2
(6.673 10
)(
11
N m 2 /kg 2 5.98 10 24 kg
= 8.71 m/s 2
2
(400 km + 6370 km )
(b) In orbit, the astronauts experience only one (the gravitational force) of the two
forces (the second being the normal force a compressive force exerted by
Earth) that normally acts on them. Lacking this compressive force, their bones and
muscles, in the absence of an exercise program, will weaken. In orbit the
astronauts are not weightless, they are normalforceless.
33
[SSM] The mass of Saturn is 5.69 1026 kg. (a) Find the period of
its moon Mimas, whose mean orbital radius is 1.86 108 m. (b) Find the mean
orbital radius of its moon Titan, whose period is 1.38 106 s.
Picture the Problem While we could apply Newtons law of gravitation and
second law of motion to solve this problem from first principles, well use
Keplers third law (derived from these laws) to find the period of Mimas and to
relate the periods of the moons of Saturn to their mean distances from its center.
TM2 =
4 2 3
4 2 3
rM TM =
rM
GM S
GM S
4 2 1.86 108 m
= 8.18 10 4 s 22.7 h
6.6726 10 11 N m 2 /kg 2 5.69 10 26 kg
)(
1126
Chapter 11
TT2 =
4 2 3
T 2GM
rT rT = 3 T 2 S
4
GM S
(1.38 10 s) (6.6726 10
6
)(
11
N m 2 /kg 2 5.69 10 26 kg
)=
1.22 10 9 m
34
Calculate the mass of Earth from the period of the moon,
T = 27.3 d; its mean orbital radius, rm = 3.84 108 m; and the known value of G.
Picture the Problem While we could apply Newtons law of gravitation and
second law of motion to solve this problem from first principles, well use
Keplers third law (derived from these laws) to relate the period of the moon to
the mass of Earth and the mean Earth-moon distance.
Tm2 =
4 2 3
4 2 3
rm M E =
rm
GM E
GTm2
ME =
4 2 3.84 108 m
(6.6726 10
11
24 h 3600 s
N m 2 /kg 2 27.3 d
d
h
= 6.02 1024 kg
Remarks: This analysis neglects the mass of the moon; consequently the mass
calculated here is slightly too large.
35
Suppose you leave the Solar System and arrive at a planet that has the
same mass-to-volume ratio as Earth but has 10 times Earths radius. What would
you weigh on this planet compared with what you weigh on Earth?
Picture the Problem Your weight is the local gravitational force exerted on you.
We can use the definition of density to relate the mass of the planet to the mass of
Earth and the law of gravity to relate your weight on the planet to your weight on
Earth.
Gravity
Using the definition of density, relate
the mass of Earth to its radius:
M E = VE = 43 RE3
M P = VP = 43 RP3
1127
= 43 (10RE )
4
(10 RE )
MP
=3 4
M P = 103 M E
3
ME
3 R E
3
GmM P Gm 10 3 M E
=
w' =
RP2
(10 RE )2
= 10
GmM E
= 10 w
RE2
GmM E
GM
a = 4 2 E
RE
radial
( 12 RE )
= ma a =
GM E
( 12 RE )2
= 4 g = 39.2 m/s 2
37
A planet orbits a massive star. When the planet is at perihelion, it has a
speed of 5.0 104 m/s and is 1.0 1015 m from the star. The orbital radius
increases to 2.2 1015 m at aphelion. What is the planets speed at aphelion?
Picture the Problem We can use conservation of angular momentum to relate the
planets speeds at aphelion and perihelion.
1128 Chapter 11
La = Lp
or
va =
mvp rp = mva ra va =
(5.0 10
)(
vp rp
ra
= 2.3 10 4 m/s
38
What is the magnitude of the gravitational field at the surface of a
neutron star whose mass is 1.60 times the mass of the Sun and whose radius is
10.5 km?
Picture the Problem We can use Newtons law of gravity to express the
gravitational force acting on an object at the surface of the neutron star in terms of
the weight of the object. We can then simplify this expression by dividing out the
mass of the object leaving an expression for the magnitude of the gravitational
field at the surface of the neutron star.
GM Neutron Star m
= mg
2
RNeutron
Star
where g represents the magnitude of the
gravitational field at the surface of the
neutron star.
g=
)(
Gravity
(a) Using conservation of angular
momentum, relate the angular
momenta of the asteroid at aphelion
and perihelion:
Substitute numerical values and
evaluate the ratio of the asteroids
aphelion and perihelion distances:
1129
La Lp = 0
or
mva ra mvp rp = 0
ra vp
=
rp va
ra 20 km/s
=
= 1.4
rp 14 km/s
(b) It is farther from the Sun than Earth. Keplers third law ( T 2 = Crav3 ) tells us
that longer orbital periods together with larger orbital radii means slower orbital
speeds, so the speed of objects orbiting the Sun decreases with distance from the
Sun. The average orbital speed of Earth, given by v = 2rES TES , is approximately
30 km/s. Because the given maximum speed of the asteroid is only 20 km/s, the
asteroid is farther from the Sun.
40
A satellite that has a mass of 300 kg moves in a circular orbit
7
5.00 10 m above Earths surface. (a) What is the gravitational force on the
satellite? (b) What is the speed of the satellite? (c) What is the period of the
satellite?
Picture the Problem Well use the law of gravity to find the gravitational force
acting on the satellite. The application of Newtons second law will lead us to the
speed of the satellite and its period can be found from its definition.
GmM E
(RE + h )2
Fg =
Because GM E = gRE2 :
mRE2 g
Fg =
(RE + h )2
Fg =
mg
1 +
R
E
1130 Chapter 11
Substitute numerical values and
evaluate Fg:
Fg =
6
6.37 10 m
= 37.6 N
Fg = m
v2
v =
r
Fg r
m
T=
T=
2.66 km/s
2 r
v
2 (6.37 10 6 m + 5.00 10 7 m )
2.657 10 3 m/s
1h
= 1.333 10 5 s
= 37.0 h
3600 s
41
[SSM] A superconducting gravity meter can measure changes in
gravity of the order g/g = 1.00 1011. (a) You are hiding behind a tree holding
the meter, and your 80-kg friend approaches the tree from the other side. How
close to you can your friend get before the meter detects a change in g due to his
presence? (b) You are in a hot air balloon and are using the meter to determine the
rate of ascent (assume the balloon has constant acceleration). What is the smallest
change in altitude that results in a detectable change in the gravitational field of
Earth?
Picture the Problem We can determine the maximum range at which an object
with a given mass can be detected by substituting the equation for the
gravitational field in the expression for the resolution of the meter and solving for
the distance. Differentiating g(r) with respect to r, separating variables to obtain
dg/g, and approximating r with dr will allow us to determine the vertical change
in the position of the gravity meter in Earths gravitational field is detectable.
Gravity
GM E
RE2
gE =
g (r ) =
1131
Gm
= 1.00 10 11 g E
2
r
GM E
= 1.00 10 11
RE2
r = RE
1.00 1011 m
ME
= 7.37 m
dg 2Gm
2 Gm
2
=
= 2 = g
3
dr
r
r r
r
dg
dr
= 2 = 10 11
g
r
r = 12 1.00 10 11 6.37 10 6 m
)(
= 31.9 m
T=
2 r
v
(1)
1132 Chapter 11
Using the law of gravity and
Newtons second law, relate the
force exerted on the planet by the
star to its centripetal acceleration:
Substitute for v in equation (1) to
obtain:
Fnet =
KMm
v2
= m v = KM
r
r
T=
2
r
KM
43
[SSM] Earths radius is 6370 km and the moons radius is
1738 km. The acceleration of gravity at the surface of the moon is 1.62 m/s2.
What is the ratio of the average density of the moon to that of Earth?
Picture the Problem We can use the definitions of the gravitational fields at the
surfaces of Earth and the moon to express the accelerations due to gravity at these
locations in terms of the average densities of Earth and the moon. Expressing the
ratio of these accelerations will lead us to the ratio of the densities.
GM E G EVE G E 43 RE3
gE =
=
=
RE2
RE2
RE2
g M = 43 G M RM
g M M RM
g R
=
M = M E
E g E RM
gE
E RE
evaluate
M
:
E
= 43 G E RE
= 0.605
Gravity
1133
Picture the Problem Newtons second law of motion relates the weights of these
two objects to their masses and the acceleration due to gravity.
Fnet = w1 = m1 g
Fnet = w2 = m2 g
m2 =
w2
m1
w1
m2 =
56.6 N
(1.00 kg ) = 5.77 kg
9.81 N
d = d1 d 2
d1 = 12 g1t 2 and d 2 = 12 g 2t 2
1134 Chapter 11
Substitute for d1 and d2 to obtain:
d = 12 g1t 2 12 g 2t 2 =
d = 12 gt 2 t 2 =
d 12 g
1
2
(g1 g 2 ) t 2
2d
g
g
2d
g
=d
d = d
g
g
g
)( )
d = 10 3 m 1012 = 109 m
U (r ) =
U (RE ) =
GM E m
gR 2 m
= E = mgRE
RE
RE
(1)
U (2 RE ) =
GM E m
gR 2 m
= E
2 RE
2 RE
= 12 mgRE
Gravity
1135
K e (2 RE ) + U (2 RE ) = 0
or
2
1
2 mve + U (2 RE ) = 0
ve =
2U (2 RE )
m
2( 3.124 10 9 J )
ve =
= 7.90 km/s
100 kg
47
[SSM] Knowing that the acceleration of gravity on the moon is
0.166 times that on Earth and that the moons radius is 0.273RE, find the escape
speed for a projectile leaving the surface of the moon.
Picture the Problem The escape speed from the moon is given by
ve, m = 2GM m Rm , where Mm and Rm represent the mass and radius of the moon,
respectively.
Express the escape speed from the
moon:
Because g m = 0.166 g E and
Rm = 0.273RE :
ve.m =
2GM m
= 2 g m Rm
Rm
1136 Chapter 11
Earth-particle system is zero. Well use conservation of energy to relate the initial
potential and kinetic energies of the particle-Earth system to the final kinetic
energy of the particle.
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
or, because Uf = 0,
K ( ) K (RE ) U (RE ) = 0
1
2
mv2 12 mvi2 +
(1)
GM E m
=0
RE
vi = v2 + 2gRE
(11.2 10
)(
49
While trying to work out its budget for the next fiscal year, NASA
wants to report to the nation a rough estimate of the cost (per kilogram) of
launching a modern satellite into near-Earth orbit. You are chosen for this task,
because you know physics and accounting. (a) Determine the energy, in kWh,
necessary to place 1.0-kg object in low-Earth orbit. In low-Earth orbit, the height
of the object above the surface of Earth is much smaller than Earths radius. Take
the orbital height to be 300 km. (b) If this energy can be obtained at a typical
electrical energy rate of $0.15/kWh, what is the minimum cost of launching a
400-kg satellite into low-Earth orbit? Neglect any effects due to air resistance.
Picture the Problem We can use the expression for the total energy of a satellite
to find the energy required to place it in a low-Earth orbit.
E = K + U g = 12 U g
GM Earth msatellite
2r
where r is the orbital radius and the minus
sign indicates the satellite is bound to
Earth.
E=
Gravity
For a near-Earth orbit, r REarth
and the amount of energy required
to place the satellite in orbit
becomes:
E=
1137
GM Earth msatellite
2REarth
(6.673 10
)(
N m 2 / kg 2 5.98 10 24 kg (1.0 kg )
2 6.37 10 6 m
1kW h
= 31.31 MJ
= 8.7 kW h
3.6 MJ
E=
11
Cost = rate
Cost =
required energy
msatellite
kg
$0.15 8.7 kW h
(400 kg )
kW h
kg
$500
50
The science fiction writer Robert Heinlein once said, If you can get
into orbit, then youre halfway to anywhere. Justify this statement by comparing
the minimum energy needed to place a satellite into low Earth orbit (h = 400 km)
to that needed to set it completely free from the bonds of Earths gravity. Neglect
any effects of air resistance.
Picture the Problem Well consider a rocket of mass m which is initially on the
surface of Earth (mass M and radius R) and compare the kinetic energy needed to
get the rocket to its escape speed with its kinetic energy in a low circular orbit
around Earth. We can use conservation of energy to find the escape kinetic energy
and Newtons law of gravity to derive an expression for the low-Earth orbit
kinetic energy.
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
Ki U i = 0
or
GMm
K e = U i =
R
1138 Chapter 11
Apply Newtons law of gravity to the
rocket in orbit at the surface of Earth
to obtain:
GMm
v2
m
=
R2
R
K o = 12 mv 2 =
GMm
2R
GMm
Ko
1
= 2R =
K e GMm 2
R
K e = 2K o as asserted by Heinlein.
51
[SSM] An object is dropped from rest from a height of 4.0 106 m
above the surface of Earth. If there is no air resistance, what is its speed when it
strikes Earth?
Picture the Problem Let the zero of gravitational potential energy be at infinity
and let m represent the mass of the object. Well use conservation of energy to
relate the initial potential energy of the object-Earth system to the final potential
and kinetic energies.
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
or, because Ki = 0,
K (RE ) + U (RE ) U (RE + h ) = 0 (1)
where h is the initial height above
Earths surface.
U (r ) =
1
2
mv 2
GM E m
r
GM E m GM E m
+
=0
RE
RE + h
Gravity
Solving for v yields:
1139
GM E GM E
v = 2
R
R
+
h
E
E
= 2 gRE
RE + h
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
or, because Kf = 0,
K (RE ) + U (RE ) U (RE + h ) = 0 (1)
where h is the maximum height above
Earths surface.
U (r ) =
1
2
mv 2
h=
GM E m
r
GM E m GM E m
+
=0
RE
RE + h
RE
2 gRE
1
v2
1140 Chapter 11
6.37 10 6 m
h=
2 9.81 m/s 2 6.37 10 6 m
)(
(4.0 10
m/s
) 1
= 9.4 10 5 m
53
A particle is projected from the surface of Earth with a speed twice the
escape speed. When it is very far from Earth, what is its speed?
Picture the Problem Let the zero of gravitational potential energy be at infinity,
m represent the mass of the particle, and the subscript E refer to Earth. When the
particle is very far from Earth, the gravitational potential energy of Earth-particle
system will be zero. Well use conservation of energy to relate the initial potential
and kinetic energies of the particle-Earth system to the final kinetic energy of the
particle.
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
or, because Uf = 0,
K ( ) K (RE ) U (RE ) = 0
1
2
mv2 12 m(2ve ) +
2
(1)
GM E m
=0
RE
v = 2 2ve2 gRE
[(
) (
2
)(
)]
Gravity
1141
object will have escaped the gravitational fields of the two massive objects
provided, when its gravitational potential energy has become zero, its kinetic
energy will also be zero.
P
m
r1
r2
M2
M1
E = 12 mv 2
GM 1m GM 2 m
r1
r2
0 = 12 mve2
GM 1m GM 2 m
r1
r2
ve2 =
2GM 1 2GM 2
+
r1
r2
2
2
ve2 = ve,1
+ ve,2
m
rSun
rEarth
M Earth
M Sun
1142 Chapter 11
2GM Earth 2GM Sun
+
rEarth
rSun
ve2 =
M
M
ve = 2G Earth + Sun
rSun
rEarth
What we have just calculated is the escape speed from Earths surface, at Earths
orbit. Because the launch will take place from a moving Earth, we need to
consider Earths motion and use it to our advantage. If we launch at sunrise from
the Equator, zenith will be pointed directly along the direction of motion of Earth
and the required launch speed will be the minimum launch speed.
Express the minimum launch speed
in terms of the escape speed
calculated above and Earths orbital
speed:
vmin = ve vorbital
vorbital =
vmin = ve
2 rorbital
Torbital
2 rorbital
Torbital
2 1.496 1011 m
= 43.6 km/s
= 13.8 km/s
365.24 d 8.64 10 4 s
1y
y
d
Gravity
1143
Picture the Problem Let m represent the mass of the body that is projected
vertically from the surface of Earth. Well begin by using conservation of energy
under the assumption that the gravitational field is constant to determine H. Well
apply conservation of energy a second time, with the zero of gravitational
potential energy at infinity, to express H. Finally, well solve these two equations
simultaneously to express H in terms of H .
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
or, because Kf = Ui = 0,
Ki + U f = 0
12 mv 2 + mgH' = 0 H' =
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
or, because Kf = 0,
Ki + U f U i = 0
12 mv 2
v2
(1)
2g
GMm GMm
+
=0
RE + H
RE
or
12 v 2
Solving for v2 yields:
gRE2
gR 2
+ E =0
RE + H
RE
1
1
v 2 = 2 gRE2
RE RE + H
H
= 2 gRE
RE + H
H
H'RE
H =
H' = RE
RE H'
RE + H
1144 Chapter 11
Gravitational Orbits
57
A 100-kg spacecraft is in a circular orbit about Earth at a height
h = 2RE. (a) What is the orbital period of the spacecraft? (b) What is the
spacecrafts kinetic energy? (c) Express the angular momentum L of the
spacecraft about the center of Earth in terms of its kinetic energy K and find the
numerical value of L.
Picture the Problem We can use its definition to express the period of the
spacecrafts motion and apply Newtons second law to the spacecraft to determine
its orbital speed. We can then use this orbital speed to calculate the kinetic energy
of the spacecraft. We can relate the spacecrafts angular momentum to its kinetic
energy and moment of inertia.
2 R 2 (3RE ) 6 RE
=
=
v
v
v
where v is the orbital speed of the
spacecraft.
T=
Fradial =
GM E m
(3RE )
v2
=m
v =
3RE
T = 6 3
RE
g
T = 6 3
6.37 10 6 m
9.81 m/s 2
= 2.631 10 4 s
gRE
3
1h
= 7.31 h
3600 s
K = 12 mv 2 = 12 m( 13 gRE )
)(
= 1.041 GJ = 1.04 GJ
K=
L2
L = 2 IK
2I
Gravity
Express the moment of inertia of the
spacecraft with respect to an axis
through the center of Earth:
I = m(3RE ) = 9mRE2
1145
4 2 3
T =
rm
(1)
GM E
where rm is the distance between the
centers of Earth and the moon.
4 2 3
rE
(2)
GM s
where rE is the distance between the
centers of Earth and the Sun.
2
m
TE2 =
ME =
4 2 3
rm
GTm2
(3)
Ms =
4 2 3
rE
GTE2
(4)
M s rE
=
M E rm
Tm
TE
1146 Chapter 11
Substitute numerical values and
evaluate Ms/ME:
M s 1.50 1011 m
=
M E 3.82 10 8 m
27.3 d
365.24 d
= 3.38 10 5
Express the difference between this
value and the measured value of
3.33105:
% diff =
= 1.50 %
In this analysis weve neglected gravitational forces exerted by other planets and
the Sun.
59
[SSM] Many satellites orbit Earth with maximum altitudes of
1000 km or less. Geosynchronous satellites, however, orbit at an altitude of
35 790 km above Earths surface. How much more energy is required to launch a
500-kg satellite into a geosynchronous orbit than into an orbit 1000 km above the
surface of Earth?
Picture the Problem We can express the energy difference between these two
orbits in terms of the total energy of a satellite at each elevation. The application
of Newtons second law to the force acting on a satellite will allow us to express
the total energy of each satellite as a function of its mass, the radius of Earth, and
its orbital radius.
E = E geo E1000
E tot = K + U
(1)
(2)
GM E m
R
where R is the orbital radius.
= 12 mv 2
Fradial
GM E m
v2
=
=m
R
R2
gRE2
v =
R
2
E tot = 12 m
gRE2 gRE2 m
mgRE2
=
R
R
2R
Gravity
1147
1
mgRE2 mgRE2 mgRE2 1
+
=
2 Rgeo 2 R1000
2 R1000 Rgeo
1
1
mgRE2
2 RE + 1000 km RE + 35 790 km
1
1
= 11.1 GJ
6
7.37 10 m 4.22 107 m
1
K = Ug
2
1148 Chapter 11
Substitute for K and U to obtain:
1 2 1 GM Earth m
mv =
2
2
r
where m is the mass of the platform and
r is the distance from the center of
Earth to the platform.
v=
GM Earth
r
(6.67 10
)(
11
N m 2 / kg 2 5.98 10 24 kg
= 7.65 km/s
6.37 10 6 m + 0.450 10 6 m
v=
vrel to platform = vp v
(1)
Here the platforms orbital radius will be the probes orbits perigee; the
speed of launch will point in the direction the platform is moving at launch
time. Neglecting everything in the universe but Earth and probe, apply
conservation of energy from perigee to apogee to obtain:
1
2
mvp2 12 mva2
v
vp2 1 a
vp
= 0
a
p
vp rp = va ra va =
rp
ra
vp
1 1
rp
vp2 1 = 2GM Earth (3)
r r
a
ra
p
where
rp = REarth + h = 6370 km + 450 km
= 6820 km
and
ra = 3.84 10 5 km
Gravity
Because rp << ra, equation (3)
becomes:
1149
1 2GM Earth
vp2 2GM Earth =
r
rp
p
vp
2GM Earth
rp
)(
2 6.673 10 11 N m 2 / kg 2 5.98 10 24 kg
vp
= 10.8 km/s
6820 km
Substitute numerical values in
equation (1) and evaluate
vrel to platform:
t = 12 T
4 2
4 2 a 3
a3 T =
GM Earth
GM Earth
where a is the semi-major axis.
= 3.2 km/s
(4)
T2 =
t =
2a3
GM Earth
t =
(6.673 10
11
)(
N m 2 / kg 2 5.98 10 24 kg
r
The Gravitational Field ( g )
61
A 3.0-kg space probe experiences a gravitational force of 12 N i as it
passes through point P. What is the gravitational field at point P?
r r
Picture the Problem The gravitational field at any point is defined by g = F m .
1150 Chapter 11
Using its definition, express the
gravitational field at a point in
space:
r
r F (12 N ) i
g= =
=
m 3.0 kg
(4.0 N/kg ) i
r
62
The gravitational field at some point is given by g = 2.5 10 6 N/kg j .
What is the gravitational force on a 0.0040-kg object located at that point?
Picture the Problem The gravitational force acting on an object of mass m where
r
r
r
the gravitational field is g is given by F = mg .
r
r
F = mg
r
F = (0.0040 kg ) 2.5 10 6 N/kg j
= 1.0 10 8 N j
63
[SSM] A point particle of mass m is on the x axis at x = L and an
identical point particle is on the y axis at y = L. (a) What is the direction of the
gravitational field at the origin? (b) What is the magnitude of this field?
Picture the Problem We can use the definition of the gravitational field due to a
point mass to find the x and y components of the field at the origin and then add
these components to find the resultant field. We can find the magnitude of the
field from its components using the Pythagorean theorem.
r r
r
g = gx + gy
(1)
r
Gm
g x = 2 i
L
r
Gm
g y = 2 j
L
r r r
Gm
Gm
g = g x + g y = 2 i + 2 j the
L
L
direction of the gravitational field is
along a line at 45 above the +x axis.
Gravity
r
(b) The magnitude of g is given by:
r
g = g x2 + g y2
r
Gm Gm
g = 2 + 2 =
L L
1151
Gm
L2
64
Five objects, each of mass M, are equally spaced on the arc of a
semicircle of radius R as in Figure 11-25. An object of mass m is located at the
center of curvature of the arc. (a) If M is 3.0 kg, m is 2.0 kg, and R is 10 cm, what
is the gravitational force on the particle of mass m due to the five objects? (b) If
the object whose mass is m is removed, what is the gravitational field at the center
of curvature of the arc?
Picture the Problem We can find the net force acting on m by superposition of
the forces due to each of the objects arrayed on the circular arc. Once we have
expressed the net force, we can find the gravitational field at the center of
curvature from its definition. Choose a coordinate system in which the +x
direction is to the right and the +y direction is upward.
r
F = Fx i + Fy j
(1)
Fx is given by:
Fx =
+
cos 45
cos 45 = 0
2
2
2
R
R
R
R2
Fy is given by:
Fy =
GMm GMm
GMm
GMm
(2 sin 45 + 1)
+
sin 45 +
sin 45 =
2
2
2
R
R
R
R2
(6.673 10
N m 2 / kg 2 (3.0 kg )
(2.0 kg )(2 sin 45 + 1) = 9.67 10 8 N
2
(0.10 m )
11
r
F = 0i + 9.7 10 8 N j
1152 Chapter 11
r
(b) Using its definition, express g at
the center of curvature of the arc:
r
r F 0i + 9.67 10 8 N j
g= =
2.0 kg
m
= 4.8 10 8 N/kg j
65
A point particle of mass m1 = 2.0 kg is at the origin and a second point
particle of mass m2 = 4.0 kg is on the x axis at x = 6.0 m. Find the gravitational
r
field g at (a) x = 2.0 m and (b) x = 12 m. (c) Find the point on the x axis for
which g = 0.
Picture the Problem The configuration
of point masses is shown to the right.
The gravitational field at any point can
be found by superimposing the fields
due to each of the point masses.
r r r
g = g1 + g 2
(1)
r
r
Gm
Gm
g1 = 2 1 i and g 2 = 2 2 i
x1
x2
r
Substitute numerical values and evaluate g :
r
6.673 10 11 N m 2 /kg 2
g=
[2.0 kg 14 (4.0 kg )] i =
(2.0 m )2
r
r
(b) Express g1 and g 2 :
( 1.7 10
11
r
r
Gm
Gm
g1 = 2 1 i and g 2 = 2 2 i
x1
x2
N/kg i
( 14 m1 + m2 )i
1153
Gravity
r
Substitute numerical values and evaluate g :
r
6.673 10 11 N m 2 /kg 2 1
g=
[ 4 (2.0 kg ) + 4.0 kg]i =
(6.0 m )2
r
(c) Express the condition that g = 0:
( 8.3 10
12
N/kg i
Gm1
Gm2
=0
2
x
(6.0 x )2
or
2.0
4.0
=0
2
x
(6.0 x )2
x = 2.5 m
66
Show that on the x axis, the maximum value of g for the field of
Example 11-7 occurs at points x = a 2 .
Picture the Problem To show that, on the x axis, the maximum value of g for the
field of Example 11-7 occurs at the points x = a 2 , we can differentiate gx
with respect to x and set the derivative equal to zero.
gx =
(x
2GMx
2
+ a2
3/ 2
Differentiate gx with respect to x and set the derivative equal to zero to find
extreme values:
[(
dg x
= 2GM x 2 + a 2
dx
Solve for x to obtain:
3 / 2
3x 2 x 2 + a 2
x=
5 / 2
] = 0 for extrema.
a
2
1154 Chapter 11
M = dx
0
M = C xdx =
1
2
CL2
r
Gdm
G dx
i =
i
dg =
2
(x0 x )
(x0 x )2
GCxdx
i
(x0 x )2
L
r
g = GC
xdx
2
0 ( x0 x )
2GM
L2
x0 L
i
ln
x
L
x
L
0 0
68
A uniform thin rod of mass M and length L lies on the positive x axis
with one end at the origin. Consider an element of the rod of length dx, and mass
dm, at point x, where 0 < x < L. (a) Show that this element produces a
gravitational field at a point x0 on the x axis in the region x0 > L is given
GM
by dgx =
2 dx . (b) Integrate this result over the length of the rod to find
L(x 0 x )
the total gravitational field at the point x0 due to the rod. (c) Find the gravitational
force on a point particle of mass m0 at x0. (d) Show that for x0 >> L, the field of
the rod approximates the field of a point particle of mass M at x = 0.
Gravity
1155
Picture the Problem The elements of the rod of mass dm and length dx produce a
gravitational field at any point P located a distance x0 > L from the origin. We can
calculate the total field by integrating the magnitude of the field due to dm from
x = 0 to x = L.
r
Gdm
dg x = 2 i
r
Relate dm to dx:
dm =
r = x0 x
r
GM
dx
dg x =
i
2
L(x0 x )
r
GM
gx =
L
M
dx
L
(x
0
GM
=
L
=
dx
i
2
)
x
0
L
1
i
x0 x 0
GM
i
x0 ( x 0 L )
r
r
GMm0
Fg = m0 g =
i
x0 ( x0 L )
r
gx =
r
GM
g x 2 i
x0
GM
i
L
x02 1
x0
1156 Chapter 11
r
The Gravitational Field ( g ) due to Spherical Objects
69
A uniform thin spherical shell has a radius of 2.0 m and a mass of
300 kg. What is the gravitational field at the following distances from the center
of the shell: (a) 0.50 m, (b) 1.9 m, (c) 2.5 m?
Picture the Problem The gravitational field inside a spherical shell is zero and
the field at the surface of and outside the shell is given by g = GM r 2 .
g (0.50 m ) = 0
g (1.9 m ) = 0
GM
6.673 10 11 N m 2 /kg 2 (300 kg )
=
= 3.2 10 9 N/kg
r2
(2.5 m )2
g1 =
GM
R2
Gravity
1157
GM
R2
g2 =
GM
2
g2
= R = 1 g1 = g 2
g1 GM
R2
72
Two widely separated uniform solid spheres, S1 and S2, have equal
masses but different radii, R1 and R2. If the gravitational field strength on the
surface of S1 is g1, what is the gravitational field strength on the surface of S2?
Picture the Problem The gravitational field strength at the surface of a sphere is
given by g = GM R 2 , where R is the radius of the sphere and M is its mass.
g1 =
GM
R12
g2 =
GM
R22
GM
R2
g2
R2
R2
= 2 = 12 g 2 = 12 g1
g1 GM R2
R2
R12
Remarks: The gravitational field strengths depend only on the masses and
radii because the points of interest are outside spherically symmetric
distributions of mass.
73
Two concentric uniform thin spherical shells have masses M1 and M2
and radii a and 2a, as in Figure 11-26. What is the magnitude of the gravitational
force on a point particle of mass m (not shown) located (a) a distance 3a from the
center of the shells? (b) a distance 1.9a from the center of the shells? (c) a
distance 0.9a from the center of the shells?
Picture the Problem The magnitude of the gravitational force is Fg = mg where g
Fg = mg
1158 Chapter 11
At r = 3a, the masses of both
spheres contribute to g:
Fg (3a ) = m
=
G (M 1 + M 2 )
(3a )2
Gm(M 1 + M 2 )
9a 2
Fg (1.9a ) = m
Fg (0.9a ) = 0
GM 1
(1.9a )
GmM 1
3.61a 2
Fg = m(g1x + g 2 x )
(1)
g1x (3a ) =
GM 1 GM 1
=
(3a )2 9a 2
g 2 x (3a ) =
GM 2
GM 2
=
2
(3a 0.8a ) 4.84a 2
Gravity
Substitute for g1x (3a ) and g 2 x (3a ) in
equation (1) and simplify to obtain:
GM 1 GM 2
F (3a ) = m
+
2
4.84a 2
9a
=
Gm M 1 M 2
+
a 2 9 4.84
g 2 x (1.9a ) =
=
1159
GM 2
(1.9a 0.8a )2
GM 2
1.21a 2
g1x (1.9a ) = 0
F (1.9a ) = mg =
GmM 2
1.21a 2
F (0.9a ) = 0
75
[SSM] Suppose you are standing on a spring scale in an elevator that
is descending at constant speed in a mine shaft located on the equator. Model
Earth as a homogeneous sphere. (a) Show that the force on you due to Earths
gravity alone is proportional to your distance from the center of the planet.
(b) Assume that the mine shaft located on the equator and is vertical. Do not
neglect Earths rotational motion. Show that the reading on the spring scale is
proportional to your distance from the center of the planet.
Picture the Problem There are two forces acting on you as you descend in the
elevator and are at a distance r from the center of Earth; an upward normal force
(FN) exerted by the scale, and a downward gravitational force (mg) exerted by
Earth. Because you are in equilibrium (you are descending at constant speed)
under the influence of these forces, the normal force exerted by the scale is equal
in magnitude to the gravitational force acting on you. We can use Newtons law
of gravity to express this gravitational force.
GM (r )m
(1)
r2
where M(r) is the mass of Earth
enclosed within the radius r: that is,
loser to the center of Earth than your
position.
Fg =
1160 Chapter 11
Using the definition of density,
express the density of Earth between
you and the center of Earth and the
density of Earth as a whole:
M (r ) M (r )
=
V (r ) 43 r 3
ME
M
= 4 E3
VE
3 R
r
M (r ) = M E
R
r
GM E m
R = GM E m r
Fg =
r2
R2 R
(2)
GM E m
GM E
g =
2
R
R2
where g is the magnitude of the
gravitational field at the surface of
Earth.
mg
Fg =
r
R
That is, the force of gravity on you is
proportional to your distance from the
center of Earth.
r
= mr 2
R
where the net force mr 2 , directed
toward the center of Earth, is the
centripetal force acting on your body.
mg
2
FN =
r mr
R
mg =
FN mg
Note that this equation tells us that your effective weight increases linearly with
distance from the center of Earth. However, due just to the effect of rotation, as
you approach the center the centripetal force decreases linearly and, doing so,
increases your effective weight.
1161
Gravity
76
Suppose Earth were a nonrotating uniform sphere. As a reward for
earning the highest lab grade, your physics professor chooses your laboratory
team to participate in a gravitational experiment at a deep mine on the equator.
This mine has an elevator shaft going 15.0 km into Earth. Before making the
measurement, you are asked to predict the decrease in the weight of a team
member, who weighs 800 N at the surface of Earth, when she is at the bottom of
the shaft. The density of Earths crust actually increases with depth. Is your
answer higher or lower than the actual experimental result?
Picture the Problem We can find the loss in weight of your team member at this
depth by taking the difference between her weight at the surface of Earth and her
weight at a depth d = 15.0 km. To find the gravitational field at depth d, well use
its definition and the mass of Earth that is between the bottom of the shaft and the
center of Earth. Well assume (incorrectly) that the density of Earth is constant.
w = w( RE ) w(R )
(1)
M = V = 43 (RE d )
M E = VE = 43 RE3
4
(R d ) (RE d
M
= 3 4 E 3
=
ME
RE3
3 RE
3
M = ME
(RE d )3
RE3
GM GM E (RE d )
g= 2 =
R
(RE d )2 RE3
GM E (RE d )
=
RE3
)3
gE =
GM E
RE2
(2)
(3)
1162 Chapter 11
Divide equation (2) by equation (3)
to obtain:
GM E (RE d )
g
R d
RE3
= E
=
GM E
gE
RE
RE2
RE d
gE
RE
g=
w (R ) = mg (R ) =
RE d
mg E
RE
d
mg E
= 1
R
E
d
mg E d
mg E =
w = mg E 1
RE
RE
w =
(800 N )(15.0 km ) =
6370 km
1.88 N
If Earths crustal density actually increased with depth, this increase with depth
would partially compensate for the decrease in the fraction of Earths mass
between a descending team member and the center of Earth; with the result that
the loss in weight would be lower than the actual experimental result.
77
[SSM] A solid sphere of radius R has its center at the origin. It has a
uniform mass density 0, except that there is a spherical cavity in it of radius
r = 12 R centered at x = 12 R as in Figure 11-27. Find the gravitational field at
points on the x axis for x > R . Hint: The cavity may be thought of as a sphere of
mass m = (4/3) r30 plus a sphere of negative mass m.
Picture the Problem We can use the hint to find the gravitational field along the
x axis.
Gravity
1163
Substitute for g solid sphere and g hollow sphere and simplify to obtain:
g (x ) =
GM solid sphere
x
GM hollow sphere
(x 12 R )
G 0 43 R 3 G 0 43 ( 12 R )
+
x2
(x 12 R )2
4 0 R 3 1
1
2
= G
2
1
3 x 8(x 2 R )
78 For the sphere with the cavity in Problem 77, show that the
gravitational field is uniform throughout the cavity, and find its magnitude and
direction there.
Picture the Problem The diagram
shows the portion of the solid sphere in
which the hollow sphere is embedded.
r
g1 is the field due to the solid sphere of
r
radius R and density 0 and g 2 is the
field due to the sphere of radius 12 R
(x, y )
r1
r r
g1 2
r
g2
R
,0
2
Fg
r
g1 =
m
GMm
r
GM
r2
g1 = 1 = 2
m
r1
r
G 0V 40 r13G 40 r1G
g1 =
=
=
3r12
3
r12
(R,0)
1164 Chapter 11
r
Find the x and y components of g1 :
x
40Gx
g1x = g1 cos = g1 =
3
r1
and
y
4 0 Gy
g1 y = g1 sin = g1 =
3
r1
r
4 0 r2 G
g2 =
3
x 12 R 4 0 G (x 12 R )
=
g 2 x = g 2
3
r2
and
y 4 0Gy
g 2 y = g 2 =
3
r2
g x = g1 x + g 2 x
r
The magnitude of g is:
4 0Gx 4 0G (x 12 R )
+
3
3
2 0GR
=
3
where the negative sign indicates that
the field points inward.
=
g y = g1 y + g 2 y
=
4 0Gy 4 0Gy
+
=0
3
3
r
2 0 GR
g = g x i + g y j =
i + 0 j
3
r
2 0 GR
g = g x2 + g y2 =
3
Gravity
1165
rotates with a constant angular speed so objects in the tunnel have no apparent
weight. Find the required angular speed of the planet .
Picture the Problem The gravitational field will exert an inward radial force on
the objects in the tunnel. We can relate this force to the angular speed of the
planet by using Newtons second law of motion.
Fnet = Fg = mr 2
or
mg = mr 2 =
g=
g
r
(1)
Fg
m
GMm
2
GM
g=
= r
= 2
m
m
r
Fg
g=
G 0V 4 0 r 3G 4 0 rG
=
=
3r 2
3
r2
4 0 rG
3
=
r
4 0 G
3
80 The density of a sphere is given by (r) = C/r. The sphere has a radius
of 5.0 m and a mass of 1.0 1011 kg. (a) Determine the constant C. (b) Obtain
expressions for the gravitational field for the regions (1) r > 5.0 m and
(2) r < 5.0 m.
Picture the Problem Because were given the mass of the sphere, we can find C
by expressing the mass of the sphere in terms of C. We can use its definition to
find the gravitational field of the sphere both inside and outside its surface.
dm = dV = 4 r 2 dr
1166 Chapter 11
5.0 m
M = 4 C
C=
C=
rdr = (50 m ) C
2
M
50 m 2
1.0 1011 kg
= 6.37 108 kg/m 2
2
50 m
g=
GM
r2
(6.673 10
11
)(
g =G
4 r
dr
r2
=G
4 r
C
dr
r
r2
=G
4 C r dr
0
r2
= 2 GC
)(
Gravity
1167
the gravitational field to find the gravitational field of the sphere inside its surface.
The work done by the field equals the negative of the change in the potential
energy of the system as the small object falls in the hole.
K f K i + U = 0
or, because Ki = 0 and W = U,
2W
W = 12 mv 2 v =
(1)
m
where v is the speed with which the
object strikes the bottom of the hole
and W is the work done by the
gravitational field.
dm = dV = (4 r 2 dr )
5.0 m
M = 4 C
C=
C=
rdr = (50 m ) C
2
M
50 m 2
1.0 1011 kg
= 6.37 108 kg/m 2
2
(50 m )
Use its definition to express the gravitational field of the sphere at a distance from
its center less than its radius:
r
g=
Fg
m
GM
=G
r2
2
4 r dr
0
r2
=G
2
4 r
0
C
dr
r
r2
=G
4 C r dr
0
r2
3.0 m
W =
mgdr = (2 m )mg
5.0 m
v=
=
2(2.0 m )m(2 GC )
m
(8.0 m ) GC
= 2 GC
1168 Chapter 11
Substitute numerical values and evaluate v:
v=
1.0 m/s
g =
GM
r2
(1)
M = V = 43 R 3 = 43 R 3
g =
4
3
G R 3
r2
G R 3
4
G R 3
g
r2
=
= 3
g
g
gr 2
Express g/g:
4
3
)(
Gravity
1169
Picture the Problem The force of attraction of the small sphere of mass m to the
r
lead sphere of mass M is the sum of the forces due to the solid sphere ( FS ) and
r
the cavities ( FC ) of negative mass.
r r
r
F = FS + FC
r
GMm
FS = 2 i
d
FC =
(1)
GM'm
2
R
d +
2
where M is the negative mass of a
cavity.
2
R 3
M' = V = 43
2
r
FC = 2
GMm
cos =
= 18 43 R 3 = 18 M
cos i
2 R2
8 d +
4
d2 +
Substitute for cos and simplify to
obtain:
r
FC =
R2
4
GMm
R
d 2 + R
4 d 2 +
4
4
GMmd
i
=
2 3/ 2
4 d 2 +
4
1170 Chapter 11
Substitute in equation (1) and
simplify:
r
GMm
GMmd
F = 2 i +
i
2 3/ 2
d
4 d 2 +
4
d3
GMm
4
=
1
2
3
/
2
i
2
d
R
2
d +
4
GN (r )M 2
v2
M
=
(1)
r2
r
where N(r) is the number of stars
within a distance r of the center of the
cluster and M is the mass of an
individual star.
F (r ) =
Gravity
Using the uniform distribution
assumption and the definition of
density, relate the number of stars
N(r) within a distance r of the center
of the cluster to the total number N
of stars in the cluster:
1171
N (r )M
NM
r3
(
)
N
r
=
N
=
3
3
4
4
R3
3 R
3 r
GNM 2 r 3
v2
=M
r
r 2 R3
v=r
GNM
vr
R3
The mean speed v of a star in a circular orbit about the center of the cluster
increases linearly with distance r from the center.
General Problems
85
The mean distance of Pluto from the Sun is 39.5 AU. Calculate the
period of Plutos orbital motion.
Picture the Problem We can use Keplers third law to relate Plutos period to its
mean distance from the Sun.
Using Keplers third law, relate the
period of Pluto to its mean distance
from the Sun:
2
3
3
TPluto = CrPluto
TPluto
= CrPluto
where C =
4 2
= 2.973 1019 s 2 /m 3 .
GM s
TPluto
86
1.50 1011 m
= 2.973 10 s /m 39.5 AU
AU
1h
1d
1y
= 7.864 10 9 s
= 249 y
3600 s 24 h 365.25 d
19
Calculate the mass of Earth using the known values of G, g, and RE.
1172 Chapter 11
w = mg =
ME =
gRE2
GM E m
=
M
E
RE2
G
(9.81 N / kg )(6.37 10 6 m )2
6.673 10 11 N m 2 /kg 2
= 5.97 10 24 kg
87
The force exerted by Earth on a particle of mass m a distance r
2
(r > RE) from the center of Earth has the magnitude mgRE /r2, where
g = GME/ R 2E . (a) Calculate the work you must do to move the particle from
distance r1 to distance r2. (b) Show that when r1 = RE and r2 = RE + h, the result
2
can be written as W = mgRE [(1/ R E ) 1/ (R E + h)]. (c) Show that when h << RE,
the work is given approximately by W = mgh.
Picture the Problem The work you must do against gravity to move the particle
from a distance r1 to r2 is the negative of the change in the particles gravitational
potential energy.
(a) Relate the work you must do to
the change in the gravitational
potential energy of Earth-particle
system:
r2
r r
W = U = Fg dr
r1
r2
r2
= Fg dr (cos180) = Fg dr
r1
r1
r2
1 1
dr
= GM E m
2
r
r2 r1
r1
W = GM E m
1 1
= GM E m
r1 r2
(b) Substitute gRE2 for GME, RE
for r1, and RE + h for r2 to obtain:
1
1
W = mgRE2
RE RE + h
(1)
Gravity
1173
(c) Rewrite equation (1) with a common denominator and simplify to obtain:
RE
1
2 RE + h RE
= mgh
= mgh
W = mgRE
h
RE + h
RE (RE + h )
1+
RE
mgh
88
The average density of the moon is = 3340 kg/m3. Find the minimum
possible period T of a spacecraft orbiting the moon.
Picture the Problem Let m represent the mass of the spacecraft. From Keplers
third law we know that its period will be a minimum when it is in orbit just
above the surface of the moon. Well use Newtons second law to relate the
angular speed of the spacecraft to the gravitational force acting on it.
2
T=
(1)
radial
=
=
Tmin =
GM M m
= mRM 2
2
RM
G 43 RM3
GM M
=
RM3
RM3
4
3
4
3
2
=
G
3
G
(6.673 10
11
3
= 6503 s = 1 h 48 min
N m 2 /kg 2 3340 kg/m 3
)(
1174 Chapter 11
89
[SSM] A neutron star is a highly condensed remnant of a massive
star in the last phase of its evolution. It is composed of neutrons (hence the name)
because the stars gravitational force causes electrons and protons to coalesce
into the neutrons. Suppose at the end of its current phase, the Sun collapsed into a
neutron star (it cant in actuality because it does not have enough mass) of radius
12.0 km, without losing any mass in the process. (a) Calculate the ratio of the
gravitational acceleration at the surface of the Sun following its collapse
compared to its value at the surface of the Sun today. (b) Calculate the ratio of the
escape speed from the surface of the neutron-Sun to its value today.
Picture the Problem We can apply Newtons second law and the law of gravity
to an object of mass m at the surface of the Sun and the neutron-Sun to find the
ratio of the gravitational accelerations at their surfaces. Similarly, we can express
the ratio of the corresponding expressions for the escape speeds from the two suns
to determine their ratio.
GM Sun m
2
RSun
Fg = mag =
ag =
Fg = ma'g =
a'g =
GM neutron -Sun
M neutron -Sun
2
a'g
Rneutron-Sun
R2
=
= neutron -Sun
GM Sun
M Sun
ag
2
2
RSun
RSun
a 'g
ag
GM Sun
2
RSun
(1)
GM neutron -Sun m
2
Rneutron
-Sun
GM neutron-Sun
2
Rneutron
-Sun
(2)
2
RSun
2
Rneutron
-Sun
6.96 10 8 m
= 3.36 10 9
=
3
ag 12.0 10 m
a'g
Gravity
(b) The escape speed from the
neutron-Sun is given by:
v'e =
GM neutron -Sun
Rneutron-Sun
ve =
GM Sun
RSun
v'e
=
ve
v 'e
6.96 10 8 m
= 241
=
12.0 10 3 m
ve
1175
RSun
Rneutron-Sun
90
Suppose the Sun could collapse into a neutron star of radius 12.0 km,
as in Problem 89. Your research team is in charge of sending a probe from Earth
to study the transformed Sun, and the probe needs to end up in a circular orbit
4500 km from the neutron-Suns center. (a) Calculate the orbital speed of the
probe. (b) Later on, plans call for construction of a permanent spaceport in that
same orbit. To transport equipment and supplies, scientists on Earth need you to
determine the escape speed for rockets launched from the spaceport (relative to
the spaceport) in the direction of the spaceports orbital velocity at takeoff time.
What is that speed, and how does it compare to the escape speed at the surface of
Earth?
Picture the Problem We can apply Newtons law law to the probe orbiting the
Sun to determine its orbital speed. Using the escape-speed equation will allow us
to find the escape speed for rockets launched from the spaceport.
(a) Apply Newtons second law to
the probe of mass m in orbit about
the Sun:
Solving for vorbital yields:
2
vorbital
GmM Sun
=
m
r
r2
where r is the orbital radius.
Fradial =
vorbital =
GM Sun
r
(6.673 10
11
)(
N m 2 / kg 2 1.99 1030 kg
= 5.432 106 m/s
6
4.50 10 m
1176 Chapter 11
(b) The escape speed (relative to
the spaceport) for rockets launched
from the spaceport is given by:
= ve vorbital
vrel to
spaceport
ve =
vrel to
(1)
= 2vorbital
= 2vorbital vorbital
spaceport
2 1 vorbital
spaceport
vrel to
spaceport
)(
spaceport
to ve,Earth :
vrel to
spaceport
ve,Earth
2.25 10 6 m/s
=
201
11.2 km/s
91
A satellite is circling the moon (radius 1700 km) close to the surface at
a speed v. A projectile is launched from the moon vertically up at the same initial
speed v. How high will it rise?
Picture the Problem We can use conservation of energy to establish a
relationship between the height h to which the projectile will rise and its initial
speed. The application of Newtons second law will relate the orbital speed,
which is equal to the initial speed of the projectile, to the mass and radius of the
moon.
Use conservation of energy to relate
the initial energies of the projectile to
its final energy:
Kf Ki + U f U i = 0
or, because Kf = 0,
GM moon m GM moon m
12 mv 2
+
=0
Rmoon + h
Rmoon
1
h = RM
2
v Rmoon
1
2GM moon
(1)
Gravity
Use Newtons second law to relate
the orbital speed of the satellite to
the gravitational force acting on it:
radial
v2 =
1177
GM M m
v2
=
=m
RM
RM2
GM M
RM
h = RM
1 = RM = 1.70 Mm
1 1
92
Black holes are objects whose gravitational field is so strong that not
even light can escape. One way of thinking about this is to consider a spherical
object whose density is so large that the escape speed at its surface is greater than
the speed of light c. If a stars radius is smaller than a value called the
Schwarzchild radius RS, then the star will be a black hole, that is, light originating
from its surface cannot escape. (a) For a non-rotating black hole, the
Schwarzchild radius depends only upon the mass of the black hole. Show that it is
related to that mass M by RS = 2GM/c2. (b) Calculate the value of the
Schwarzchild radius for a black hole whose mass is ten solar masses.
Picture the Problem We can use the escape-speed equation, with ve = c, to derive
the expression for the Schwarzchild radius of a non-rotating black hole.
(a) The escape speed at a distance r
from the center of a spherical object
of mass M is given by:
ve =
Setting ve = c yields:
2GM
r
c=
2GM
2GM
RS =
c2
RS
RS =
)(
m/s )
20 6.673 10 11 N m 2 / kg 2 1.99 10 30 kg
(2.998 10
)=
29.5 km
1178 Chapter 11
93
In a binary star system, two stars follow circular orbits about their
common center of mass. If the stars have masses m1 and m2 and are separated by a
4 2 r 3
distance r, show that the period of rotation is related to r by T 2 =
.
G (m1 + m2 )
Picture the Problem Let the origin of our coordinate system be at the center of
mass of the binary star system and let the distances of the stars from their center
of mass be r1 and r2. The period of rotation is related to the angular speed of the
star system and we can use Newtons second law of motion to relate this speed to
the separation of the stars.
Relate the square of the period of the
motion of the stars to their angular
speed:
Using Newtons second law, relate
the gravitational force acting on the
star whose mass is m2 to the angular
speed of the system:
Solving for 2 yields:
T =
2
4 2
(1)
2
Gm1 m2
2 =
Gm1
radial
(r1 + r2 )
= m2 r2 2
(2)
m1 r1 = m2 r2
where r = r1 + r2
(3)
(4)
r2 =
rm1
m1 + m2
r1 =
rm2
m1 + m2
2 =
T2 =
r2 (r1 + r2 )
G (m1 + m2 )
r3
4 2
4 2 r 3
=
G (m1 + m2 )
G (m1 + m2 )
3
r
Gravity
1179
94
Two particles of masses m1 and m2 are released from rest at a large
separation distance. Find their speeds v1 and v2 when their separation distance is r.
The initial separation distance is given as large, but large is a relative term.
Relative to what distance is it large?
Picture the Problem Because the two-particle system has zero initial energy and
zero initial linear momentum; we can use energy and momentum conservation to
obtain simultaneous equations in the variables r, v1 and v2. Well assume that
initial separation distance of the particles and their final separation r is large
compared to the size of the particles so that we can treat them as though they are
point particles.
Use conservation of energy to relate
the speeds of the particles when their
separation distance is r:
Ei = E f
or
pi = pf
or
0 = m1v1 + m2 v 2
m 2 2Gm1 m2
v 22 m2 + 2 =
m1
r
0 = 12 m1v12 + 12 m2 v 22
v2 =
2Gm12
r (m1 + m2 )
v1 =
2Gm22
r (m1 + m2 )
Gm1 m2
(1)
r
(2)
(3)
95
[SSM] Uranus, the seventh planet in the Solar System, was first
observed in 1781 by William Herschel. Its orbit was then analyzed in terms of
Keplers Laws. By the 1840s, observations of Uranus clearly indicated that its
true orbit was different from the Keplerian calculation by an amount that could
not be accounted for by observational uncertainty. The conclusion was that there
must be another influence other than the Sun and the known planets lying inside
Uranuss orbit. This influence was hypothesized to be due to an eighth planet,
whose predicted orbit was described independently in 1845 by two astronomers:
John Adams (no relation to the former president of the United States) and Urbain
LeVerrier. In September of 1846, John Galle, searching in the sky at the place
1180 Chapter 11
predicted by Adams and LeVerrier, made the first observation of Neptune. Uranus
and Neptune are in orbit about the Sun with periods of 84.0 and 164.8 years,
respectively. To see the effect that Neptune had on Uranus, determine the ratio of
the gravitational force between Neptune and Uranus to that between Uranus and
the Sun, when Neptune and Uranus are at their closest approach to one another
(i.e. when aligned with the Sun). The masses of the Sun, Uranus, and Neptune are
333,000, 14.5 and 17.1 times that of Earth, respectively.
Picture the Problem We can use the law of gravity and Keplers third law to
express the ratio of the gravitational force between Neptune and Uranus to that
between Uranus and the Sun, when Neptune and Uranus are at their closest
approach to one another.
The ratio of the gravitational force
between Neptune and Uranus to that
between Uranus and the Sun, when
Neptune and Uranus are at their
closest approach to one another is
given by:
Fg, N-U
Fg,U-S
GM N M U
(r r )2
M N rU2
(1)
= N U =
GM U M S M S (rN rU )2
rU2
TU2 = CrU3
(2)
TN2 = CrN3
(3)
TN
TN2 CrN3 rN3
=
=
=
r
r
N
U
TU2 CrU3 rU3
TU
Fg, N-U
Fg, N-U
Fg,U-S
Fg,U-S
M N rU2
T
M S rU N
TU
MN
T
M S N
TU
23
23
rU
23
Gravity
1181
17.1M E
T
3.33 10 5 M E N
TU
23
Fg,N-U
Fg,U-S
17.1
T
3.33 10 5 N
TU
23
17.1
164.8 y
3.33 10 5
84.0 y
23
2 10 4
Because this ratio is so small, during the time at which Neptune is closest to
Uranus, the force exerted on Uranus by Neptune is much less than the force
exerted on Uranus by the Sun.
96
It is believed that there is a super-massive black hole at the center of
our galaxy. One datum that leads to this conclusion is the important recent
observation of stellar motion in the vicinity of the galactic center. If one such star
moves in an elliptical orbit with a period of 15.2 years and has a semi-major axis
of 5.5 light-days (the distance light travels in 5.5 days), what is the mass around
which the star moves in its Keplerian orbit?
Picture the Problem We can apply Keplers third law to the orbital motion of the
star to find the effective mass around which it is moving.
Using Keplers third law, relate the
orbital period of the star to the semimajor axis of its orbit:
4 2 3
4 2 a 3
a M =
GT 2
GM
where M is the mass around which the
star moves in its Keplerian orbit.
T2 =
1182 Chapter 11
Substitute numerical values and evaluate M:
3
86400 s
M=
3.156 10 7
6.673 10 11 N m 2 / kg 2 15.2 y
y
= 7.434 10 36 kg
= 7.434 10 36 kg
1 M Sun
= 3.7 10 6 M Sun
1.99 10 30 kg
97
[SSM] Four identical planets are arranged in a square as shown in
Figure 11-29. If the mass of each planet is M and the edge length of the square is
a, what must be their speed if they are to orbit their common center under the
influence of their mutual attraction?
Picture the Problem Note that, due to the symmetrical arrangement of the
planets, each experiences the same centripetal force. We can apply Newtons
second law to any of the four planets to relate its orbital speed to this net
(centripetal) force acting on it.
a
M
M
a
F2
F1
Applying
F1
r
r
F
radial = maradial to one of
Fc = 2 F1 cos + F2
Fc =
GM 2
2GM 2
cos
45
+
2
a2
2a
( )
1 GM 2
+
2
2 2a
GM 2
1
= 2 2+
a
2
2GM
=
a2
Gravity
Because Fc =
Mv 2
=
a 2
2 Mv 2
a
1183
2 Mv 2 GM 2
1
= 2 2+
a
a
2
v=
GM
a
1
GM
1 +
= 1.16
a
2 2
98
A hole is drilled from the surface of Earth to its center as in Figure 1130. Ignore Earths rotation and any effects due to air resistance, and model Earth
as a uniform sphere. (a) How much work is required to lift a particle of mass m
from the center of Earth to Earths surface? (b) If the particle is dropped from rest
at the surface of Earth, what is its speed when it reaches the center of Earth?
(c) What is the escape speed for a particle projected from the center of Earth?
Express your answers in terms of m, g, and RE.
Picture the Problem Let r represent the separation of the particle from the center
of Earth and assume a uniform density for Earth. The work required to lift the
particle from the center of Earth to its surface is the line integral of the
gravitational force function. This function can be found from the law of gravity
and by relating the mass of Earth between the particle and the center of Earth to
Earths mass. We can use the work-kinetic energy theorem to find the speed with
which the particle, when released from the surface of Earth, will strike the center
of Earth. Finally, the energy required for the particle to escape Earth from the
center of Earth is the sum of the energy required to get it to the surface of Earth
and the kinetic energy it must have to escape from the surface of Earth.
(a) Express the work required to lift
the particle from the center of Earth
to Earths surface:
R
R r
r r
r E
W = F dr = Fg dr = Fg dr (1)
R
GmM
(2)
r2
where M is the mass of a sphere whose
radius is r.
4 r3
r3
M
r3
M
=
M
= 43
=
E
M E 3 RE3
RE3
RE3
Fg =
Fg =
(
(
)
)
GmM E
mgRE2
mg
r
=
r=
r
3
3
RE
RE
RE
1184
Chapter 11
R
mg E
W=
rdr =
RE 0
W = K = 12 mv 2
1
2
1
2
gmRE
gmRE = 12 mv 2 v =
gRE
2
Eesc = W + 12 mve2 = 12 mvesc
2
gmRE + 12 mve2 = 12 mvesc
or, simplifying,
2
gRE + ve2 = vesc
Because ve2 =
2GM
:
RE
gRE +
mg =
2GM
2
= vesc
RE
(3)
GMm GM
= gRE
RE2
RE
2
vesc =
gRE + 2 gRE = vesc
3gRE
Remarks: This escape speed is approximately 122% of the escape speed from
the surface of Earth.
99
A thick spherical shell of mass M and uniform density has an inner
radius R1 and an outer radius R2. Find the gravitational field gr as a function of r
for 0 < r < . Sketch a graph of gr versus r.
Picture the Problem We need to find the gravitational field in three regions:
r < R1, R1 < r < R2, and r > R2.
Gravity
For r < R1:
g (r < R1 ) = 0
g (r > R2 ) =
Gm
r2
where m = 43 r 3 R13
M
M
= 4
3
3
V
3 R2 R1
m=
M r 3 R13
R23 R13
gr =
GM
r2
1185
(1)
(2)
)
)
GM r 3 R13
r 2 R23 R13
100
(a) A thin uniform ring of mass M and radius R lies in the x = 0 plane
and is centered at the origin. Sketch a plot of the gravitational field gx versus x for
all points on the x axis. (b) At what point, or points, on the axis is the magnitude
of gx a maximum?
1186
Chapter 11
dg =
dm = dL
where is the linear density of the ring.
dg =
dg x = dg cos =
cos =
Because =
M
:
2 R
G dL
R2 + x2
dg x =
dg x =
G dL
cos
R2 + x2
x
R2 + x2
G dL
R2 + x2
x
R +x
2
GM xdL
2 R R 2 + x 2
3/ 2
G xdL
(R
+ x2
3/ 2
Gravity
Integrate to find gx:
gx =
2R
GM x
2 R R 2 + x 2
(R
GM
2
+ x2
1187
3/ 2
dL
)
3/ 2
g x 0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
0
(b) Differentiate g(x) with respect to x and set the derivative equal to zero to
identify extreme values:
x 2 + R 2 3 / 2 x( 3 ) 2
dg
2
= GM
x + R2
3
2
2
dx
R +x
Simplify to obtain:
Solving for x yields:
(x
) (2 x ) = 0 for extrema
1/ 2
+ R2
x=
3/ 2
3x 2 x 2 + R 2
1/ 2
=0
R
2
Because the curve is concave downward, we can conclude that this result
corresponds to a maximum. Note that this result agrees with our graphical
maximum.
1188
Chapter 11
dx
dm = dx
r
dF
+r
g=
F
m
90
F =2
Gmdm cos
90
g =2
Gdx cos
Because tan =
x
:
r
dx = r sec 2 d =
90
g =2
0
rd
cos 2
Grd cos
r2
cos 2
2
cos
2G
r
90
cos d =
0
2G
r
102
One question in early planetary science was whether each of the
rings of Saturn were solid or were, instead, composed of individual chunks, each
in its own orbit. The issue could be resolved by an observation in which
astronomers would measure the speed of the inner and outer portions of the ring.
If the inner portion of the ring moved more slowly than the outer portion, then the
ring was solid; if the opposite was true, then it was actually composed of separate
chunks. Let us see how this results from a theoretical viewpoint. Let the radial
Gravity
1189
width of a given ring (there are many) be r, the average distance of that ring
from the center of Saturn be represented by R, and the average speed of that ring
be vavg . (a) If the ring is solid, show that the difference in speed between its
outermost and innermost portions, v, is given by the approximate expression
r
. Here, vout is the speed of the outermost portion of the
v = vout vin vavg
R
ring, and vin is the speed of the innermost portion. (b) If, however, the ring is
composed of many small chunks, show that v 12 (vavg r R ) . (Assume that
r << R.)
Picture the Problem We can use the relationship between the angular speed of
an orbiting object and its tangential velocity to express the speeds vin and vout of
the innermost and outermost portions of the ring. In Part (b) we can use Newtons
law of gravity, in conjunction with Newtons second law, to relate the tangential
speed of a chunk of the ring to the gravitational force acting on it. As in Part (a),
once we know vin and vout, we can express the difference between them to obtain
the desired results.
(a) The difference between vout
and vin is:
v = vout vin
v(R ) = R
vin = (R 12 r )
and
vout = (R + 12 r )
v = (R + 12 r ) (R 12 r )
v2
GMm
GM
=
m
v =
radial
2
R'
R'
R'
where M is the mass of Saturn and R' the
distance from its center.
= r =
(1)
vavg
R
r = vavg
r
R
1190
Chapter 11
vout =
GM
=
R + 12 r
GM
1 r
R 1 +
2 R
GM 1 r
=
1 +
R 2 R
1 2
1 r
Expanding 1 +
2 R
binomially, discarding higher-order
terms, and simplifying yields:
vout =
GM
R
1 2
1 1 r
1
22 R
+ higher order terms
GM 1 r
1
R 4 R
vin
GM 1 r
1 +
R 4 R
Express the difference between vout and vin and simplify to obtain:
v = vout vin
Because vavg =
GM
:
R
GM 1 r
GM 1 r
GM 1 r
1
1 +
=
R 4 R
R 4 R
R 2 R
1
r
v vavg
2
R
103 [SSM] In this problem you are to find the gravitational potential
energy of the thin rod in Example 11-8 and a point particle of mass m0 that is on
the x axis at x = x0. (a) Show that the potential energy shared by an element of the
rod of mass dm (shown in Figure 11-14) and the point particle of mass m0 located
at x0 12 L is given by
Gm0 dm
GMm0
dU =
=
dxs
x0 xs
L( x0 xs )
where U = 0 at x0 = . (b) Integrate your result for Part (a) over the length of the
rod to find the total potential energy for the system. Generalize your function
U(x0) to any place on the x axis in the region x > L/2 by replacing x0 by a general
coordinate x and write it as U(x). (c) Compute the force on m0 at a general point x
using Fx = dU/dx and compare your result with m0g, where g is the field at x0
calculated in Example 11-8.
Picture the Problem Let U = 0 at x = . The potential energy of an element of
the stick dm and the point mass m0 is given by the definition of gravitational
potential energy: dU = Gm0 dm r where r is the separation of dm and m0.
Gravity
Gm0 dm
x 0 xs
dU =
dm = dxs
where =
dU =
1191
M
.
L
Gm0 dxs
GMm0 dxs
=
x 0 xs
L ( x 0 xs )
GMm0
L
L/2
dxs
GMm0
=
x xs
L
L / 2 0
L
L
ln x0 2 ln x0 + 2
GMm0 x0 + L 2
ln
L
x0 L 2
dU GMm0
F ( x0 ) =
=
dx0
L
1
1
L
L
x0 +
x0
2
2
F ( x0 ) =
Gmm0
x 2 L2 4
This answer and the answer given in Example 11-8 are the same.
1192
Chapter 11
dF =
GMdm
x2
dm =
m
dx
L
dF =
GMm dx
L x2
Integrate dF from x = a to
x = a + L to find the total
gravitational force acting on the rod:
GMm
F=
L
a+ L
a+ L
GMm 1
a x dx = L x a
2
GMm
a (a + L )
105 A thin uniform 20-kg rod with a length equal to 5.0 m is bent into a
semicircle. What is the gravitational force exerted by the rod on a 0.10-kg point
mass located at the center of curvature of the circular arc?
Picture the Problem The semicircular
rod is shown in the figure. Well use an
element of length Rd = (L )d
whose mass dM is (M )d . By
symmetry, Fy = 0. Well first find dFx
and then integrate over from /2 to
/2.
Express dFx:
dFx =
Fx =
GmdM
GMm
=
d cos
2
2
R
L
GMm / 2
2 GMm
cos d =
2
L
L2
/ 2
1193
Gravity
106 Both the Sun and the moon exert gravitational forces on the oceans of
Earth, causing tides. (a) Show that the ratio of the force exerted on a point
particle on the surface of Earth by the Sun to that exerted by the moon is
2
M s rm / M m rs2 . Here Ms and Mm represent the masses of the Sun and moon and rs
and rm are the distances of the particle from Earth to the Sun and Earth to the
moon, respectively. Evaluate this ratio numerically. (b) Even though the Sun
exerts a much greater force on the oceans than does the moon, the moon has a
greater effect on the tides because it is the difference in the force from one side of
Earth to the other that is important. Differentiate the expression F = G m1m2/r2 to
calculate the change in F due to a small change in r. Show that dF/F = (2 dr)/r.
(c) The oceanic tidal bulge (that is, the elongation of the liquid water of the
oceans causing two opposite high and two opposite low spots) is caused by the
difference in gravitational force on the oceans from one side of Earth to the other.
Show that for a small difference in distance compared to the average distance, the
ratio of the differential gravitational force exerted by the Sun to the differential
gravitational force exerted by the moon on Earths oceans is given by
3
3
Fs / Fm (M s rm )/ (M m rs ). Calculate this ratio. What is your conclusion?
Which object, the moon or the Sun, is the main cause of the tidal stretching of the
oceans on Earth?
Picture the Problem We can begin by expressing the forces exerted by the Sun
and the moon on a body of water of mass m and taking the ratio of these forces. In
(b) well simply follow the given directions and in (c) we can approximate
differential quantities with finite quantities to establish the given ratio.
(a) Express the force exerted by the
sun on a body of water of mass m:
FS =
GM S m
rS2
Fm =
GM m m
rm2
FS
M S rm2
=
Fm
M m rS2
FS
1.99 1030 kg 3.84 108 m
=
Fm
7.36 10 22 kg 1.50 1011 m
(
(
)(
)(
= 177
(b) Find
dF
:
dr
dF
2Gm1m2
F
=
= 2
3
dr
r
r
)
)
2
2
1194
Chapter 11
dF
:
F
Express Fm :
Because
rS
= 1:
rm
dF
dr
= 2
F
r
F = 2
F
r
r
GmM S
rS2
GmM S
FS = 2
rS = 2
rS
rS
rS3
Fm = 2
GmM m
rm
rm3
MS
rS
M r 3 r
FS
rS3
= S m3 S
=
M m rS rm
Fm M m r
m
3
rm
FS
M S rm3
=
Fm
M m rS3
(
(
)(
)(
)
)
FS
1.99 1030 kg 3.84 108 m
=
Fm
7.36 10 22 kg 1.50 1011 m
3
3
= 0.454
Because the ratio of the forces is less than one, the moon is the main cause of the
tidal stretching of the oceans on Earth.
Gravity
1195
1.0 kg. How close will the robots be to the surface of the star before the cord
breaks?
Picture the Problem Let MNS be the mass of the neutron star and m the mass of
each robot. We can use Newtons law of gravity to express the difference in the
tidal-like forces acting on the coupled robots. Expanding the expression for the
force on the robot further from the neutron star binomially will lead us to an
expression for the distance at which the breaking tension in the connecting cord
will be exceeded.
(a) The gravitational force is greater on the lower robot, so if it were not for the
cable its acceleration would be greater than that of the upper robot and they would
separate. In opposing this separation the cable is stressed.
(b) Letting the separation of the two
robots be r, and the distance from
the center of the star to the lower
robot be r, use Newtons law of
gravity to express the difference in
the forces acting on the robots:
Substituting yields:
Ftide =
1
1
= GM NS m 2
2
r
r
r 2 1 +
2
GM NS m r
1
1
=
+
r 2
r
r
1 1 +
Ftide
GM NS m GM NS m
r2
(r + r )2
r=3
1 1 2
r
r
=2
r
2GM NS m
r
r3
2GM NS m
r
FB
)(
1196
Chapter 11