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Use the data of Table 7.3 to find the point between Pluto and the Sun at which an object can be placed so that the net gravitational force exerted by Pluto and the Sun on this object is zero. Answer is m from center of Pluto.
Data from table:
Pluto's radius = 1.5e6
Pluto's distance from the sun = 5.91e12
Sun's radius = 6.96e8

Info from notes:
G = 6.67e11
F=G(m1m2/r^2)

I'm assuming you use this equation and set the two sides equal, but I can't get it to work. Thanks in advance!

2007-12-10 12:58:39 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics Physics

1 answers

Actually, the needed information is:
(1) the mass of the sun
(2) the mass of Pluto.

For any mass m placed at such a point between the Sun and Pluto, you would have:
GM(sun)*m/(distance to the sun)^2=GM(Pluto)m/(distance to Pluto)^2
since these two force would have the same magnitude but opposite direction, the two force cancel each other.

2007-12-10 15:04:11 · answer #1 · answered by Hahaha 7 · 0 0

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