Thread: Two Gravity related questions that I would like checked.

Greetings once more MHF!

I have a couple of questions related to gravity that I think I have worked out fully but need to make sure of.

On all questions

Q1):
What force does earths gravity exert on a 81-kg astronaut who is orbiting in a space station at a distance from the surface of the earth equal to 2 earth radii? Show your calculations. Your answer must be in Newtons.

A1):
2 radii from the earth surface is equal to 3 radii from the center of the earth.
By the inverse square law the gravitational, the gravitational force at '3d' is .
Therefore, if the astronaut weighs 81kg, he weighs at 'd'. So at '3d' he weighs

Q2):
The astronaut from the last question was launched into space by a Saturn rocket.
The upward acceleration of a Saturn rocket shortly after blast-off is . When the Saturn rocket is accelerating, what is the apparent weight of the astronaut, that is, what does the astronaut experience as the weight of his body?Show your calculations. Your answer must be in Newtons.

A2):
If then . Thus, the total force acting on the astronaut is and
Therefore, his apparent weight is 90*81=7290N.

Thank you!

Only one remark ...:

Originally Posted by MathBlaster47

...
A2):
If then . Thus, the total force acting on the astronaut is and
Therefore, his apparent weight is 90*81=7290N.

Thank you!

1. In the last equation the RHS contains a unit (N) the LHS has no unit, and between the 2 sides is an equal sign.

2. In my opinion you should have mentioned that

3. Then the last equation becomes:



... but as I've said: This is only a remark.

Originally Posted by earboth

Only one remark ...:



1. In the last equation the RHS contains a unit (N) the LHS has no unit, and between the 2 sides is an equal sign.

2. In my opinion you should have mentioned that

3. Then the last equation becomes:



... but as I've said: This is only a remark.

Ok! Thanks!
I'll put that in then!