An astronaut working on the Moon tries to determine the gravitational constant G by throwing a Moon rock of mass m with a velocity of v vertically into the sky. The astronaut knows that the Moon has a density ρ of 3340 kg/m^3 and a radius R of 1740 km. (a) Show with (1) that the potential energy of the rock at height h above the surface is given by: -4 (pieG)/3 mp*(R^3)/(R+h) (2) (b) Next, show that the gravitational constant can be determined by: G=3/8 pie*v^2/(pR^2)[1-(R)/(R+h)]^-1 (c) What is the resulting G if the rock is thrown with 30 km/h and reaches 21.5m?

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter11: Gravity, Planetary Orbits, And The Hydrogen Atom
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 46P
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Topic Video
Question

An astronaut working on the Moon tries to determine the gravitational constant G by throwing a Moon rock of mass m with a velocity of v vertically into the sky. The astronaut knows that the Moon has a density ρ of 3340 kg/m^3 and a radius R of 1740 km.
(a) Show with (1) that the potential energy of the rock at height h above the surface is given by: -4 (pieG)/3 mp*(R^3)/(R+h)
(2) (b) Next, show that the gravitational constant can be determined by:
G=3/8 pie*v^2/(pR^2)[1-(R)/(R+h)]^-1
(c) What is the resulting G if the rock is thrown with 30 km/h and reaches 21.5m?

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Kinetic energy
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
Physics
ISBN:
9780534408961
Author:
Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. Marion
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics Volume 1
University Physics Volume 1
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168277
Author:
William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:
OpenStax - Rice University