conceptual problem: if you can find gravitational force of an object like the moon using GM1M2/r^2 equation, how do u find velocity of the object (moon)? can u just plug in Fg for Fc and then rest of ur variables and go from there?
2007-01-17 05:07:09 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The field of classical mechanics lets you calculate the position and velocity of an object based on its present position and velocity, its mass, and all of the forces acting on it. Gravity is one of those forces. The moon experiences a gravitational attraction, primarily to earth and the sun, and to a lesser extent, all other masses in the universe. Calculate the vector sum of all the forces on the moon, and then use Newton's second law (see reference) to calculate the resultant acceleration. That tells you how the velocity of the moon will change with time.
2007-01-17 06:59:17 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
v = sqrt(G*M/r)
'v' is velocity
'sqrt' is square root
'G' is gravitational constant
'M' is mass
'r' is distance from center of that mass
See this website for a detailed discussion of the solution to your problem ==>http://www.astronomynotes.com/gravappl/s8.htm
2007-01-17 05:21:44 · answer #2 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋