A student's research indicates that the planet mercury's radius is 2.164*10^6 m and its mass is 3.1*10^19kg
calculate the gravitational field strength at Mercury's surface.
6 years ago
Answered By Leonardo F
We have to start with the formula for universal gravitation of sir Isaac Newton for gravitational field strength:
F(N per kg)=G.M/r^2
We know that the planet's radius will be the r parameter, because we want to determine the field strength at the planet's surface. The value of G is constant and equal to 6.67408×10^-11 m^3.kg^-.s^-2. We also have the mass of the planet. Hence, we can do:
F (N per kg)=(6.67408×10^-11)×(3.1×10^19)/((2.164×10^6)^2)
6 years ago
Answered By Leonardo F
We have to start with the formula for universal gravitation of sir Isaac Newton for gravitational field strength:
F(N per kg)=G.M/r^2
We know that the planet's radius will be the r parameter, because we want to determine the field strength at the planet's surface. The value of G is constant and equal to 6.67408×10^-11 m^3.kg^-.s^-2. We also have the mass of the planet. Hence, we can do:
F (N per kg)=(6.67408×10^-11)×(3.1×10^19)/((2.164×10^6)^2)
F=4.1×10^-4 N/kg
The field strength is much lower than Earth's.