Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation

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The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration of a satellite in orbit using two formulas derived from Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. The first formula, a=GMm/r^2, was incorrectly applied, leading to a significant discrepancy in results compared to the second formula, a=4pi^2r/T^2. Participants suggest using the correct form a=Gm1/r^2, where m1 is the mass of the planet, to obtain accurate results. The calculated acceleration for Venus using the corrected formula yielded a value of 2.784*10^-8, which aligns more closely with expected outcomes. This highlights the importance of using the appropriate equations in gravitational calculations.
rvnt
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Homework Statement


I am doing a lab-"Kepler's Laws and Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation". There is an image representing various positions, at equal intervals, of a satelitte in an elliptical orbit around the earth. A list of planets and their radi and periods are given. I have calculated acceleration using two formulas a=GMm/r^2 and a=4pi^2r/T^2
Question states: "Calculate acceleration using the two equations and compare the results. Do your results confirm Newton's law of universal gravitation?"

Homework Equations




F=Gm1m2/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


Ex. of results: accleration obtained for Venus using 1st equation= 5.5407*10^24 and using 2nd equation=0.0113286
I was expecting them to be the same...please help
 
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rvnt said:

Homework Statement


I am doing a lab-"Kepler's Laws and Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation". There is an image representing various positions, at equal intervals, of a satelitte in an elliptical orbit around the earth. A list of planets and their radi and periods are given. I have calculated acceleration using two formulas a=GMm/r^2 and a=4pi^2r/T^2
Question states: "Calculate acceleration using the two equations and compare the results. Do your results confirm Newton's law of universal gravitation?"

Homework Equations

F=Gm1m2/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


Ex. of results: accleration obtained for Venus using 1st equation= 5.5407*10^24 and using 2nd equation=0.0113286
I was expecting them to be the same...please help

a=GMm/r^2 is wrong

go back to the general equation

F=Gm1m2/r^2
m1=mass of Venus
m2=mass of satellite

F=m2a=Gm1m2/r^2

a=Gm1/r^2

compare to the one you originally had (a=GMm/r^2)
 
But mass of the satellite isn't given..?
 
Wait...so as you said to use a=Gm1/r^2...for venus I got a=(6.67*10^-11)(4.8690*10^24)/(1.08*10^11)^2= 2.784*10^-8
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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