Chapter 5 HW Packet

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Note—with many centripetal motion problems, the approach is to set the
centripetal force equation equal to the equation for whatever the force is that
is causing the centripetal acceleration and then isolate whatever variable is
being asked for, and plug in the remaining values to solve.
v2 4p 2r 4p 2r
FR =m =m 2 =m 2
=Ffr =m FN =- mmg
r T 1
( )
f

Gm1m2
=FG = =mg
r2
This approach works especially well for conceptual problems—once you
isolate the desired variable, it is easy to visualize what “happens” to this
variable as you change other variables. (Or, you may only need to write down
the individual formula and isolate whatever variable you need to compare.

See questions: 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 41
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1) A car is moving around a curve at a velocity of 13.4 m/s. Your friend asks you if the car is
accelerating? Which of the following answers do you give?

A) Yes, if an object is moving it can experience acceleration.

B) No, an object can accelerate only if there is a net force acting on it.
C) Yes, although the speed is constant, the direction of the velocity can be changing.
D) No, if the speed is constant then the acceleration is equal to zero.
You can argue that there is acceleration from three different points. (1) Remember that the definition of
Dv
a=
acceleration is Dt . As velocity is a vector quantity, remember that direction is a part of it in
addition to magnitude. This means if direction is changing, even if speed is constant, there is
acceleration because there is change in velocity. (2) If you look at this on an even deeper level, because
direction is changing, the speed of the components of the velocity vector are actually changing as well as
direction, even though the total velocity vector is not changing in speed. (3) The other feature that
implies acceleration is that there is a non-zero net force (the centripetal force) that must be causing the
car to move in a circular path—a non-zero net force means an acceleration. Answer C (10-15 seconds)

2) Consider a particle moving with constant speed that experiences no net force. What path must
this particle be taking?

A) It is moving in a circle.
B) It is moving in a parabola.
C) It is moving in a straight line.
D) None of the above is definitely true all of the time.
If a particle experiences no net force there will be no acceleration and so no change in velocity (either
speed or direction) and so must be traveling in a straight line. Answer C (10-15 seconds)

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 3) When an object experiences uniform circular motion, the direction of the acceleration is

A) if there is uniform circular motion there is no acceleration.

B) is directed toward the center of the circular path.
C) in the opposite direction of the velocity vector.
D) in the same direction as the velocity vector.
E) is directed away from the center of the circular path.
We showed a mathematical argument during class that during uniform circular motion, the direction of
the acceleration (direction of the change in velocity) must be toward the center of the circle. It can also
be reasoned this must be the case because the net force pushing or pulling the object into circular
motion is also toward the center of the circle. Therefore, this is also perpendicular to the velocity vector,
which is directed at a tangent to the circle. Answer B (10-15 seconds).

4) Consider a particle moving with constant speed that experiences a constant net force that is
always perpendicular to its velocity. What path must this particle be taking?

A) It is moving in a circle.
B) It is moving in a parabola.
C) It is moving in a straight line.
D) None of the above is definitely true all of the time.
You know that a force directed at an angle to motion will cause a particle to travel a curved path. If this
force is constantly directed perpendicularly to the motion of the object we have shown through a
mathematical argument in class that the path will be a circle. Answer A (10-15 seconds)

5) Which of the following could provide the force that is always perpendicular to the motion of the
particle described in question 4?

I Gravity.
II Tension in a cord.
III Static friction.
IV A normal force.

A) I and II
B) I, II, and IV
C) I, II, III, and IV
D) II and III
All of the above forces could provide the net force directed perpendicularly to the motion of the particle
to keep it in circular motion. Answer C (15-20 seconds)

6) An object moves in a circular path at a constant speed. Compare the direction of the object's
velocity and acceleration vectors.

A) Vectors are parallel—velocity vector is tangent to circle; acceleration vector is tangent to circle
B) Vectors are parallel—velocity vector points to center of circle, acceleration vector points to center
of circle
C) Vectors are perpendicular—velocity vector is tangent to circle; acceleration vector points to center
of circle
D) Vectors are perpendicular--velocity vector points to center of circle, acceleration vector is tangent
to circle
E) The question is meaningless as the acceleration is zero.
We have shown through mathematical analysis that in uniform circular motion, the acceleration vector
is directed toward the center of the circle while the velocity vector is directed tangent to the circle, and
so, the vectors are perpendicular. Answer C (15-20 seconds)

7) Consider a particle moving with constant speed such that its acceleration of constant

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magnitude is always perpendicular to its velocity.

A) It is moving in a circle.
B) It is moving in a parabola.
C) It is moving in a straight line.
D) None of the above is definitely true all of the time.
Again, we have shown mathematically that when a particle is moving at a constant speed and there is a
constant net force exerted perpendicular to the direction of motion the particle will travel in a circular
path. Answer A (15-20 seconds)

8) What type of acceleration does an object moving with constant speed in a circular path
experience?

A) There is no acceleration if an object moves with constant speed.

B) Free fall.
C) Constant acceleration.
D) linear acceleration.
E) centripetal acceleration.
We have consistently called the acceleration of an object toward the center of a circle in uniform
circular motion, centripetal acceleration. Answer E (15-20 seconds)

9) What force is needed to make an object move in a circle?

A) centrifugal force
B) static friction
C) centripetal force
D) weight
E) tension
Although several of the mentioned forces could cause an object to move in a circle, all of them would
have to be a centripetal force, which is the best answer. Answer C (15-20 seconds)

10) When an object experiences uniform circular motion, the direction of the net force is

A) is directed toward the center of the circular path.

B) in the same direction as the motion of the object.
C) in the opposite direction of the motion of the object.
D) is directed away from the center of the circular path.
E) there is no net force because there is no acceleration.
As the direction of a net force has to be in the direction of acceleration, and the direction of acceleration
in uniform circular motion is toward the center of the circle, the force in uniform circular motion,
which we call the centripetal force, must be directed toward the center of the circle.

Note—when we talk about the force on an object holding it in circular motion, we are not talking

about the net force, å (F) R . We are talking just about what ever force is pushing/pulling the
object into circular motion. If there are other forces opposing this force, you must determine the net
force before you can calculate the centripetal acceleration.

11) A roller coaster car is on a track that forms a circular loop in the vertical plane. If the car is to
just maintain contact with track at the top of the loop, what is the minimum value for its centripetal
acceleration at this point?

A) 0.5g downward
B) 0 g
C) g upward

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D) g downward
E) 2g upward
Recall that the forces that contribute to keeping the car in circular motion at the top of the track are
force due to gravity and the normal force of the track on the car. The force due to gravity is always
going to be the same, but if the car is just to maintain contact, the normal force will be 0N and the force

due to gravity will be supplying all of the centripetal force. Therefore, as

FR =maR =FG , aR must
equal g in a downward direction. Answer D (30-45 seconds).

12) A roller coaster car (mass = M) is on a track that forms a circular loop (radius = r) in the vertical plane.
If the car is to just maintain contact with the track at the top of the loop, what is the minimum value for its
speed at that point (remember, a value to the ½ power is the square root of that value) (also remember, you
just stated the value for a in the same situation in question 11)?

A) (2rg)1/2
B) (rg)1/2
C) rg
D) (0.5rg)1/2
For question 11 you determined the centripetal acceleration for this scenario must be g in the downward
direction. To find v, just isolate v in the centripetal acceleration formula and use g for a.
v2
aR = ® v = ra R = rg =(rg)1/2
r Answer B (45-60 seconds)
(Recognize that if you were just given this question without being given question 11, you would have
to reason out both the acceleration and velocity!)

13) A pilot executes a vertical dive, then follows a semi-circular arc until it is going straight up. Just as the
plane is at its lowest point, the force on him is

A) more than mg, and pointing down.

B) less than mg, and pointing down.
C) less than mg, and pointing up.
D) more than mg, and pointing up.
As the plane is at its lowest point, it is being pulled into a circular path by a force that is directed toward
the center of the circle. This is the force we are asking for (while the net force would be used in
determining the centripetal acceleration, we are just asking about the force directed toward the center of
the circle). In order to accomplish this, the force toward the center of the circle must be greater than the
force in the downward direction, which is mg. If you need to, draw a free body diagram and write a net
force equation in the “radial” direction to prove this to yourself. The force in the upward direction
would actually be provided by the normal force from the seat. Answer D (45-60 seconds)

14) A coin of mass m rests on a turntable a distance r from the axis of rotation. The turntable rotates with
a frequency of f. What is the minimum coefficient of static friction between the turntable and the coin if
the coin is not to slip?

A) (4π2r)/g

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B) (4π2f2r)/g
C) (4πfr2)/g
D) (4π2fr2)/g
The force of static friction is supplying the force that keeps the coin traveling in a circular path—that is,
it is supplying the centripetal (radial) force. The velocity can increase until the point of maximum
friction, at which point friction cannot hold and the coin will slip. So, we can equate the force of static
us . Because all of the answers have 4p in them we
friction with centripetal force and solve for (isolate)
have used the form of centripetal acceleration that requires converting velocity to 2p r / T and then
used 1/f in place of T. Answer B (90-120 seconds)
v2
Ffrs =FR ® ms FN =maR ® ms (- mg) =m
r
4p 2r 4p 2r 4p 2 f 2r
ms (- mg) =m 2 ® ms (- mg) =m 2
® ® ms ( - m ) = m
T g
1
( )
f

4p f r
2 2
ms =
g

15) A car goes around a curve of radius r at a constant speed v. What is the direction of the net force on
the car? You know that for the car to travel in a circular path the direction of the net force needs to be in
the direction toward the center of the curve. Answer D (10-15 seconds)

A) toward the front of the car

B) toward the back of the car
C) away from the curve's center
D) toward the curve's center

16) A car goes around a curve of radius r at a constant speed v. Then it goes around the same curve at one
third of the original speed. What is the centripetal force on the car as it goes around the curve for the
second time, compared to the first time? As centripetal force is proportional to the square of the velocity,
if the velocity is decreased by 1/3, the force will be 1/9 as big. Answer B (15-30 seconds) Write out the
2
v
v2 3
FR =m ® if m then = 91 FR
formula to visualize this if you need to r r

A) one third as big

B) one ninth as big
C) nine times as big
D) three times as big

17) A car goes around a curve of radius r at a constant speed v. Then it goes around a curve of radius 2r at
speed 4v. What is the centripetal force on the car as it goes around the second curve, compared to the first?

As centripetal force is proportional to the square of the velocity, multiplying the velocity by 4 will
multiply the force by 16. However, it is inversely proportional to the radius, so doubling the radius at
the same time will decrease this by a factor of 2. Therefore, force will be eight times as big. Answer B
(15-30 seconds) Write out the formula to visualize this if you need to.
2
v2 4v
FR =m ® if m then = 162 FR = 8 FR
r 2r

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A) four times as big
B) eight times as big
C) nine halves as big
D) three halves as big

18) A car of mass m goes around a banked curve of radius r with speed v. If the road is frictionless due to
ice, the car can still negotiate the curve if the horizontal component of the normal force on the car from the
road is equal in magnitude to
For a banked curve, friction is not required to help keep the car in circular motion if the x component of
the normal force is equal to the centripetal force, which equals mv2/r. Answer A (15-30 seconds)

A) mv2/r.
B) mg.
C) mg/2.
D) tan[v2/(rg)].

19) Two horizontal curves on a bobsled run are banked at the same angle, but one has twice the radius of
the other. The safe speed (no friction needed to stay on the run) for the smaller radius curve is v. What is
the safe speed on the larger radius curve?
You should remember or know how to derive the banking formula (see note to quantitative problems).

Rearranging this for velocity you get:

v = tan q rg . Therefore, v is proportional to the square root of
r. If you double r this will multiply v x 1.41. Answer C (45-60 seconds)
A) approximately 0.707v
B) 2v
C) approximately 1.41v
D) 0.5v

20) The banking angle in a turn on the Olympic bobsled track is not constant, but increases upward from
the horizontal. Coming around a turn, the bobsled team will intentionally "climb the wall," then go lower
coming out of the turn. Why do they do this? The greater the banking angle, the greater the x component
of the normal force, and the greater the corresponding “safe velocity.” Doing this allows them to take
the turn at a higher velocity. Then, coming out of the turn, as they are higher up on the curve, they can
accelerate their tangential velocity (speed along their path) as the will be moving downhill.

A) to give the team better control, because they are able to see ahead of the turn
B) to prevent the bobsled from turning over
C) to take the turn at a faster speed
D) to reduce the g-force on them

Why does this work? see above statement

21) Is it possible for an object moving around a circular path to have both centripetal and tangential
acceleration? Yes-a driver on a circular race track accelerates both tangentially and centripetally—even
though there is tangential acceleration the track constrains the driver to a circle. Answer B (15-30
seconds)

A) No, because then the path would not be a circle.

B) Yes, this is possible if the speed is changing.
C) No, an object can only have one or the other at any given time.
D) Yes, this is possible if the speed is constant.

22) The gravitational force between two objects is proportional to

As the masses of both objects are multiplied in the numerator of the universal law of gravity formula, F G

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is proportional to the product of the masses of the objects. Answer C (10-15 seconds) Write out the
G m1m2
FG = 2
formula to visualize this if you need to: r
A) the square of the distance between the two objects.
B) the distance between the two objects.
C) the product of the two objects.
D) the square of the product of the two objects.

23) The gravitational force between two objects is inversely proportional to

As the square of the distance between the two objects is in the denominator of the universal law of
gravity formula, FG is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two objects.
Answer D (10-15 seconds)

A) the product of the two objects.

B) the distance between the two objects.
C) the square of the product of the two objects.
D) the square of the distance between the two objects.

24) Two objects attract each other gravitationally. If the distance between their centers is cut in half, the
gravitational force
As the force due to gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, if distance is halved the
gravitational force will be increased by 4 times. Answer B (15-30 seconds) Write out the formula to
Gm1m2 Gm1m2
FG = ® = 4 FG
r2 r
2
2
visualize this if you need to:
A) is cut to one fourth.
B) quadruples
C) is cut in half.
D) doubles.

25) Two objects, with masses m1 and m2, are originally a distance r apart. The gravitational force between
them has magnitude F. The second object has its mass changed to 2m2, and the distance is changed to r/4.
What is the magnitude of the new gravitational force?
As force is proportional to the product of the masses, if one mass is doubled, the force will double.
However, as it is inversely proportional to the square of the distances, if the distance is reduced to ¼ of
its original value, this will further multiply the force by a factor of 16. In total, the force will increase by
32. Answer A (15-30 seconds) distance, if distance is halved the gravitational force will be increased by
4 times. Answer A (15-30 seconds) Write out the formula to visualize this if you need to:
Gm1m2 Gm1 2 m2
FG = ® = 32 FG
r2 r
2
4
A) 32F
B) F/32
C) F/16
D) 16F

26) Two objects, with masses m1 and m2, are originally a distance r apart. The magnitude of the
gravitational force between them is F. The masses are changed to 2m1 and 2m2, and the distance is
changed to 4r. What is the magnitude of the new gravitational force?
As force is proportional to the product of the masses, if both masses are doubled, the force will

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quadruple. However, as it is inversely proportional to the square of the distances, if the distance is
multiplied by four, this will decrease the force by a factor of 16. This means that overall, the force will
be decreased by ¼. Answer B (30-45 seconds) Write out the formula to visualize this if you need to:
Gm1m2 G 2 m1 2 m2
FG = ® = 14 FG
r2 4r
2

A) F/16
B) F/4
C) 16F
D) 4F

28) The acceleration of gravity on the Moon is one-sixth what it is on Earth. An object of mass 48 kg is
taken to the Moon. What is its mass there?
Be careful, this is a trick question. The mass would be the same no matter where the object was.
Answer C (10-15 seconds)

A) 48 N
B) 8 kg
C) 48 kg
D) 8 N

29) As a rocket moves away from the Earth's surface, the rocket's weight
As weight is the same quantity as the force due to gravity, as an object gets further away from the
gravitational body the weight decreases. Answer A (10-15 seconds)

A) decreases.
B) remains the same.
C) increases.
D) depends on how fast it is moving.

30) A spaceship is traveling to the Moon. At what point is it beyond the pull of Earth's gravity?
According to the universal law of gravitation, there will never be a distance between two objects at which
the gravitational force of attraction is 0 N (although there is certainly a practical limit). Answer D (10-
15 seconds)

A) when it gets above the atmosphere

B) when it is half-way there
C) when it is closer to the Moon than it is to Earth
D) It is never beyond the pull of Earth's gravity.

31) Suppose a satellite were orbiting the Earth just above the surface. What is its centripetal acceleration?
As the acceleration due to gravity is providing the centripetal force, the centripetal acceleration at the
surface of the earth would be g. Answer D (10-15 seconds)
A) larger than g
B) Impossible to say without knowing the mass.
C) smaller than g
D) equal to g

32) A hypothetical planet has a mass of half that of the Earth and a radius of twice that of the Earth. What
is the acceleration due to gravity on the planet in terms of g, the acceleration due to gravity at the Earth?
Halving the mass would decrease g to ½ g. Doubling the radius would further decrease g by a factor of
1/4 so in total, g on this planet would be g/8. Answer C (15-30 seconds). Write out the formula to

8
 Gmplanet G 12 mplanet
g= 2
® 2
= 81 g
r 2r
visualize this if you need to:
A) g/2
B) g/4
C) g/8
D) g

33) The acceleration of gravity on the Moon is one-sixth what it is on Earth. The radius of the Moon is
one-fourth that of the Earth. What is the Moon's mass compared to the Earth's?
If you rearrange the formula for gravitational force at the surface of a gravitational body to isolate mass
we see that decreasing g by 1/6 would also decrease the mass by 1/6. However, decreasing the radius by
¼ would decrease g further by a factor of 1/16. In total, mass would less by a factor of 1/96. Answer D
(30-45 seconds) Write out the formula to visualize this if you need to:
2
Gm gr 2
1
6
g 1
4
r
g = 2 E ® mE = ® = 1
96
mE
r G G
A) 1/6
B) 1/16
C) 1/24
D) 1/96

34) Two planets have the same surface gravity, but planet B has twice the radius of planet A. If planet A
has mass m, what is the mass of planet B?
If you rearrange the formula for gravitational force at the surface of a gravitational body to isolate mass
we see that having the same surface gravity would have no effect on the calculation of mass. However,
doubling the planet’s radius would require that the planet’s mass increase by 4 times. So, overall, the
planet’s mass would be 4 times greater. Answer B (30-45 seconds). Write out the formula to visualize
2
GmA gr 2 g 2r
g = 2 ® mA = ® = 4 mA
this if you need to: r G G

A) 0.707m
B) 4m
C) m
D) 1.41m

35) Two planets have the same surface gravity, but planet B has twice the mass of planet A. If planet A
has radius r, what is the radius of planet B? If you rearrange the formula for gravitational force at the
surface of a gravitational body to isolate radius, we see that having the same gravity will not affect the
radius calculation, but doubling the mass will have the effect of requiring that the radius be increased
by the square root of 2 giving 1.41 r Answer C (30-45 seconds) Write out the formula to visualize this if

GmA GmA G 2 mA
g= 2
® r= ® = 1.41 r
you need to: r g g
A) 0.707r
B) r
C) 1.41r
D) 4r

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36) Consider a small satellite moving in a circular orbit (radius r) about a spherical planet (mass M).
Which expression gives this satellite's orbital velocity?
Make sure you know how to derive the formula for the orbital velocity (see notes under quantitative
GmE
v=
problems). Knowing that r , you can see that the answer is (GM/r)1/2. Answer A (30-45
seconds)

A) (GM/r)1/2
B) GM/r2
C) (GM/r2)1/2
D) v = GM/r

37) Satellite A has twice the mass of satellite B, and rotates in the same orbit. Compare the two satellite's
speeds.
Based on the orbital velocity formula, you can see that orbital speed depends only on r—as the radius is
the same, the speed must also be the same. Answer D (10-15 seconds)
A) The speed of B is twice the speed of A.
B) The speed of B is half the speed of A.
C) The speed of B is one-fourth the speed of A.
D) The speed of B is equal to the speed of A.

38) Who was the first person to realize that the planets move in elliptical paths around the Sun?
Kepler Answer C (10-15 seconds)

A) Brahe
B) Einstein
C) Kepler
D) Copernicus

39) The speed of Halley's Comet, while traveling in its elliptical orbit around the Sun,
Although when we solve problems related to orbits we pretend that the orbits are circular, we know that
in fact they are ellipses, and as such, as a planet gets closer to a gravitational body it must speed up.
Answer C (10-15 seconds)

A) is constant.
B) is zero at two points in the orbit.
C) increases as it nears the Sun.
D) decreases as it nears the Sun.

40) Let the average orbital radius of a planet be r. Let the orbital period be T. What quantity is constant
for all planets orbiting the Sun? According to Kepler’s third law, later proven mathematically by Newton,
the ratio of the square of the period to the cube of the orbital radius (or vice versa) is constant for all
planets of a planetary system. Answer C (30-45 seconds)

A) T/R
B) T/R2
C) T2/R3
D) T3/R2

41) A planet is discovered to orbit around a star in the galaxy Andromeda, with the same orbital diameter
as the Earth around our Sun. If that star has 4 times the mass of our Sun, what will the period of revolution
of that new planet be, compared to the Earth's orbital period?

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From the Kepler’s third law formula for a single orbiting body, isolate T:
r 3 Gm2 4p 2 r 3
= ® T =
T 2 4p 2 Gm2
. From this you can see that if the mass is 4 times greater, T will be
affected by the square root of 1 over 4, or 1/2—so the new orbital period will be ½ as much. Answer
C (45-60 seconds)

A) one-fourth as much
B) four times as much
C) one-half as much
D) twice as much

42) The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is defined as one "astronomical unit" (AU). An
asteroid orbits the Sun in one-third of a year. What is the asteroid's average distance from the Sun?
You will need to use Keppler’s 3rd law for two gravitational bodies (see note at beginning of
quantitative problems.) You already have that the ratio of the orbital periods of the asteroid to
the earth is 1:3. Isolate r3 for the asteroid and solve. Answer B (120-150 seconds)
2
rA3 rE3 TA3 3 æ 13 ö 2
2
= 2
® rA
3
= r =ç ÷ (1.0 AU )3 ® rA = 3 ( 13 ) (1.0 AU )3 =.48 AU
3 A
TA TE TE è1ø
A) 0.19 AU
B) 0.48 AU
C) 2.1 AU
D) 5.2 AU

Quantitative Problems
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Notes
You will not receive the banking formula on the test. Either you need to remember it or be
able to derive it from the centripetal force formula and normal force calculation:

For a banked curve, in order for friction not to be necessary, the x component of the
normal force must supply all of the centripetal force that keeps the car traveling in a
v2
FNx =FR =m
circular path—therefore: r
You know that Nx
F =F sinq
N
F
, but N does not equal –mg in this case, nor does it
equal the opposite of the y component of gravity as we use it in the case of motion
FNy
down an incline. But, we know that the y component of the normal force ( ) is the
FNy =FN cosq
opposite of mg (-mg) and we also know that . So, we can say that
mg
FN =
cosq . We can then substitute this in for FN in the FNx =FN sinq formula.
mg
FNx =FN sinq = sinq =tanqmg
cosq

v2 v2
tan q mg =m tan q =
r tan q rg
Then we can equate and solve for :
We can use this formula to find banking angle, safe velocity, or radius of a certain

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 banking angle.
v2 v2
q =tan -1
v = rg tan q r =
rg g tanq
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Make sure you understand that at the surface of a gravitational body,
Gm1m2 Gmgravitational body
FG =mg = ® g =
r2 r2 , where r is the radius of the gravitational body.

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You will not receive Keppler’s third law on the test. Either you need to know Keppler’s third

r 3 Gm2 rA3 rB3

= 2 2
= 2
law for one orbiting body T
2
4p , or two orbiting bodies A TB , or you need to know
T
how to derive them by setting the centripetal force formula equal to the universal law of
gravity formula.
v 2 G m1 m2 4p 2 r Gm2 r 3 Gm2
FR =FG ® m = ® = 2 ® =
r r2 T2 r T 2 4p 2 for one orbiting
body.
For two orbiting bodies, recognize that the ratio of the orbital radius cubed to period squared
Gm2
2
must be the equal for both planets orbiting because both ratios will equal 4p , and so,
rA3 rB3
=
TA2 TB2
**********************************************************************************************
You will also need to either remember or be able to derive a formula for calculating orbital
velocity.

v2 G m1 mE GmE
FR =FG ® m = ® v=
r r 2
r
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1) An object moves with a constant speed of 20 m/s on a circular track of radius 140 m. What is the
acceleration of the object?
The motion described is uniform constant motion and acceleration is determined by using the basic
centripetal acceleration equation. Plug in the values for velocity and radius and solve.
v 2 (20 m / s) 2
aR = = =2.857 m / s 2 = 3 m / s 2
r 140 m

2) The maximum speed around a level curve is 30.0 km/h. What is the maximum speed around a curve
with twice the radius? (Assume all other factors remain unchanged.)
If you take the centripetal acceleration equation and isolate velocity, you find that velocity is
proportional to the square root of the radius. Therefore, if you double the radius, the velocity will
increase by the product of the square root of 2.
v2
aR = ® v = aR r ® 2v = aR 2r ® 2(30.0 km / h) = 42.4 km / hr
r

12
**3) What is the centripetal acceleration of a point on the perimeter of a bicycle wheel of diameter 70 cm
when the bike is moving 8.0 m/s?
The motion described is uniform constant motion and acceleration is determined by using the basic
centripetal acceleration equation. Plug in the values for velocity and radius and solve (note, radius is .
35 cm).
v 2 (8.0 m / s) 2
aR = = =182.9 m / s 2 = 180 m / s 2
r .35 m
4) A point on a wheel rotating at 5.00 rev/s is located 0.200 m from the axis. What is the centripetal
acceleration?
The motion described is uniform constant motion and acceleration is determined by using the
centripetal acceleration equation. However, you discover that you have not been given velocity.
Therefore, you need to find the velocity using the circumference of the circle divided by the period. You
then find out that you haven’t been given the period, but the frequency, which you can convert to the
period by taking its inverse—you can do this in one calculation as follows:
2
v 2 ( 2p r ) 4p 2r 4p 2r
aR = = T = 2 = 1 =(4p 2 r)( f 2 ) =(4p 2 )(.200m)(5.00 revs ) 2 =197.39m / s 2 = 197m / s 2
r r T f2
**5) How many revolutions per minute must a circular, rotating space station of radius 1000 m
rotate to produce an artificial gravity of 9.80 m/s2?
Many fictional space stations are designed such that there is an a circular tube that rotates around the
center of a circle. If a person is walking within this tube they also would be constrained to travel in a
circle around the center, and so, would experience a centripetal force which would feel like gravity. In
order for this individual to experience a centripetal acceleration that was equal to the acceleration due to
gravity on Earth, this would be the same thing as saying, “centripetal acceleration is 9.8 m/s 2.” So the
question is asking, the ac equals 9.8 m/s2, what must the frequency per minute be?” We can use the
4p 2 r
T 2 version of the centripetal acceleration formula and substitute 1/f in for T2. Also, recognize that if
you have a fraction in the denominator, multiplying the numerator by the reciprocal of the fraction is
the same thing as dividing by the fraction, so make this change to the formula as well. Then isolate the
frequency. One last thing is that this will give you the frequency in revolutions per second so you will
want to multiply this by a conversion factor of 60 s/1min to get the frequency into revolutions per
minute.

4p 2 r 4p 2 r æ60sec ö ac 9.80m / s2
ac = = 2 =4p 2rf 2 ® fç = = =.945 rev / min
T2 ( 1f ) è 1min ÷
ø 4p 2 r 4p (1000m)

6) A motorcycle has a mass of 250 kg. It goes around a 13.7 m radius turn at 96.5 km/h. What is the
centripetal force on the motorcycle?
v2
F =maR and aR =
You know R r . You have been given m, v (convert to m/s) and r. Plug the values
in and solve.
2
v2
FR =maR =m =(250 kg)
3.6 ( 96.5 km/h

=13112 N = 13000 N
)
r 13.7m
7) A 0.50-kg mass is attached to the end of a 1.0-m string. The system is whirled in a horizontal circular
path. If the maximum tension that the string can withstand is 350 N. What is the maximum speed of the
mass if the string is not to break?
Recognize that the force due to tension is the centripetal force so you need to find the velocity at which
the centripetal force equals 350 N. You need to show the centripetal force formula, isolate v, plug in the

13
values and solve.
v2 Fr (350N )(1.0m)
FT =FR =maR =m ® v= R = =26.46 m / s = 26 m / s
r m .50kg

8) A stone, of mass m, is attached to a strong string and whirled in a vertical circle of radius r. At the exact
top of the path the tension in the string is 3 times the stone's weight. The stone's speed at this point is given
by
A) 2(gr)1/2.
B) (2gr)1/2.
C) (gr)1/2.
D) 2gr.
At the top of the circle, the force due to gravity and the tension will be providing the centripetal force
(confirm this with a free body diagram if you need to). You are told that tension is equal to 3 times the
stones weight, or, 3mg. The sum of forces, then, is mg + 3mg= 4mg. This is the force that will be equal
to the centripetal force. Therefore, you can set the centripetal force formula equal to 4 mg, isolate for v,
plug in the values and solve. (Recognize that the square root is the same thing as an expression raised
to the ½ power.)
v2
4 mg = m ® v = 4rg =2(rg)1/2
r

**9) A stone, of mass m, is attached to a strong string and whirled in a vertical circle of radius r. At the
exact bottom of the path the tension in the string is 3 times the stone's weight. The stone's speed at this
point is given by
A) 2(gr)1/2.
B) (2gr)1/2.
C) (gr)1/2.
D) 2gr.
At the bottom of the circle, the force due to gravity will be in a downward direction while the
tension will be directed toward the center of the circle. In this case, as these two forces will be in
opposite directions. As the centripetal force will be the sum of these two forces (the net force)
you can write a net force equation (as these are in opposite directions you will have to add a
negative sign to one or the other forces-I would put the negative sign on T because this will
make it positive as you will be multiplying by -9.8) to determine the sum of forces and set this
equal to the centripetal force formula. Then, isolate v, plug in the values and solve (Recognize
that the square root is the same thing as an expression raised to the ½ power.)
v2
Fnet =- mg + T =- mg + (3mg) =2 m g = m ® v = 2rg =(2rg)1/2
r
10) A jet plane flying 600 m/s experiences an acceleration of 4g when pulling out of the dive. What is the
radius of curvature of the loop in which the plane is flying?
If an airplane is diving, in order to pull out of the dive it must follow a circular path to get from a
downward vertical motion to a horizontal motion. In order to be pulled into this circular motion the
pilot manipulates the wings such that air resistance and lift forces cause a centripetal force which
accelerates the plane toward the center of the circle. (Remember though, that there would also be a
force due to gravity opposing this, so it is the net force between these two forces—the centripetal force—
that causes the centripetal acceleration) The acceleration and velocity of the motion have been given.
Isolate r in the centripetal acceleration equation, plug the values in and solve.
v2 v2 (600 m / s)2
aR = ® r= = =9184 m = 9000 m
r aR (4)(9.8 m / s 2 )

11) A pilot makes an outside vertical loop (in which the center of the loop is beneath him) of radius 3200

14
m. At the top of his loop he is pushing down on his seat with only one-half of his normal weight. How fast
is he going?
At the top of the loop it feels to the pilot as if he only weighs half as much as normal. Keep in mind,
however, that it is still this “weight”(force due to gravity) which is the centripetal force that is keeping
him in circular motion. So the centripetal force will equal ½ times the force due to gravity. This can be
v2
m
set equal to r where mass will cancel out. v can then be isolated, values plugged in, and solved for.
v2
FR =maR = m ( 12 g) = m ® v = ( 12 g)(r) = (4.9m / s 2 )(3200m) =125.2 m / s = 130 m / s
r

12) The maximum force a pilot can stand is about seven times his weight. What is the minimum radius of
curvature that a jet plane's pilot, pulling out of a vertical dive, can tolerate at a speed of 250 m/s?
This is a tricky question. You have been told that the force on the pilot is about 7 mg. This will be the
normal force provided by the pilot’s seat. However, there will also be an opposite force provided by the
force due to gravity. So, the net force providing the centripetal acceleration is what you need to solve the
problem. Once you realize this, you can isolate r in the centripetal force equation and plug this net and
250 m/s for the velocity to get:
v2 v2 (250m / s)2
å (F ) R
=FG + FN =- 1mg + 7mg =6 m g = m
r
® r= =
6g (6)(9.8 m / s2 )
=1063 m = 1100 m

13) A car traveling 20 m/s rounds an 80-m radius horizontal curve with the tires on the verge of slipping.
How fast can this car round a second curve of radius 320 m? (Assume the same coefficient of friction
between the car's tires and each road surface.)
If the coefficient of friction is the same for both curves, the force of static friction keeping the car from
sliding will be the same for both curves, which means the maximum centripetal acceleration for both
curves must also be the same. We can determine aR for the first curve, so we can also use this for the
second curve. We can then isolate and solve for v in the second curve given this a R and the radius of 320
m. (Note, once you recognize that aR is the same for both, you could also reason that if you quadruple
the radius you would only double the velocity (aR=v2/r)
FR =Ffrstatic and F frstatic for curve 1 =Ffrstatic for curve 2
® aR for curve 1 =aR for curve 2
v 2 (20 m / s) 2
aR for curve 1 = = =5 m / s 2
r 80 m
v for curve 2 = aR r = (5 m / s 2 )(320 m) = 40 m / s

14) A car is negotiating a flat curve of radius 50 m with a speed of 20 m/s. The centripetal force provided
by friction is 1.2 × 104 N. What is the mass of the car?
Remember that the force of friction is providing the centripetal force keeping the car in circular motion,
and centripetal force equals mass times centripetal acceleration. You have been given all of the
information—isolate mass, plug in values and solve.
v2 rF (50 m)(1.2 x 10 4 N )
FR =maR =m =Ffr ® m = 2fr = = 1500 kg
r v (20 m / s)2
**15) A car goes around a flat curve of radius 50 m at a speed of 14 m/s. What must be the minimum
coefficient of friction between the tires and the road for the car to make the turn?
The point at which tires are on the verge of slipping is the point at which the maximum force of friction
—that is, the static friction, equals the force required to keep the car in a circular path for a certain
velocity and a certain radius. You can set the force of static friction equal to the centripetal force

15
 F fr =m s FN =ms (- mg)
required. Remember that . This will allow you to cancel mass and solve for
the coefficient of friction.
v2
FR =m =F frs =ms FN =ms (- mg)
r
2
v v2 (14 m / s)2
m =ms (- m g) ® ms = = = .4
r - rg - (50 m)(- 9.8 m / s 2 )
16) A car is moving with a constant speed v around a level curve. The coefficient of friction between the
tires and the road is 0.40. What is the minimum radius of the curve if the car is to stay on the road?
A) 0.40v2/g
B) v2/g
C) 2.5v2/g
D) 2v2/g
This is a problem in which you are not asked to find an actual value but a formula that will solve for a
value. You are given that a car is moving around a level curve so you immediately know that the
æ v2 ö
F =m
centripetal force
çè c r÷ ø (F
equals the force of static friction fs
=- m mg ) . You are asked to
create a formula that will find r, so, simply equate the two formulas and isolate r. Then plug in the
coefficient of friction. Notice that this formula you just created is not in the list of answers. Actually, it
really is. .40 is in the denominator—this is the same thing as saying 1/.40, which is the same thing as
2.5 in the numerator. So, the formula you created is the same thing as saying 2.5v2/g.
v2 v2 v2 2.5v 2
m =- m m g ® r = = =
r - mg - .40g g
The college board really likes this type of problem where you don’t actually solve for a value, but rather
just create the formula that solves for the value.

17) What minimum banking angle is required for an Olympic bobsled to negotiate a 100-m radius turn at
35 m/s without skidding? (Ignore friction.)
Remember that we derived a formula to determine the banking angle at that point where friction did not
apply.
v2 (35 m / s)2
q =tan - 1 =tan - 1 2
=51.34 0 =510
rg (100 m)(9.8 m / s )

18) A horizontal curve on a bobsled run is banked at a 45° angle. When a bobsled rounds this curve at the
curve's safe speed (no friction needed to stay on the run), what is its centripetal acceleration?
v2
tan q =
Being able to derive that banking angle formula, you are also aware that rg and so
v2
aR = =g tan q =(9.8 m / s 2 )(tan 450 ) = 9.8 m / s 2 or 1.0 g
r

) A frictionless curve of radius 100 m, banked at an angle of 45°, may be safely negotiated at a speed
**19
of

16
 v2
tan q =
Knowing that rg you can rearrange the formula to isolate v:
v = rg tanq = (100 m)(9.8 m / s 2 )(tan 450 ) = 31 m / s

20) A curve of radius 80 m is banked at 45°. Suppose that an ice storm hits, and the curve is
effectively frictionless. What is the safe speed with which to take the curve without either sliding up
or down?

Because you are asked about a car traveling around a banked curve and you are asked for the
safe speed (the design speed) you know that the x component of the normal force will be causing
the centripetal force. You can find velocity by setting the formula for the x component of the
normal force equal to the centripetal force formula, isolating v, plugging values in and solving.
If you forgot how to find the formula for the x component of the normal force review the notes at
the beginning of the quantitative problems.
v2
m =- m g tan q ® v 2 =- rg tan q ® v = - rg tan q =
r
- (80m)(- 9.8m / s 2 )(tan 450 ) =28m / s

**21) A 175-kg ball on the end of a string is revolving uniformly in a horizontal circle of radius 0.500 m.
The ball makes 2.00 revolutions in a second.

(a) Determine the speed of the ball.

2p r 2p (.500 m) p
v= = = =2p =6.28 m / s
T 1
f
1
2.00 rev/s
(b) Determine the ball's centripetal acceleration.
2
v 2 ( 6.28 m / s )
aR = = =78.9 m / s2
r .500 m
(c) Determine the force a person must exert on opposite end of the string.
FR =maR =( 175 kg ) (78.9 m / s2 ) =1.38 x 104 N

22) Starting from rest in the pit area, a race car accelerates at a uniform rate to a speed of 45 m/s in 15 s,
moving on a circular track of radius 500 m.

(a) Calculate the tangential acceleration. Remember that you calculate the tangential acceleration in the
same way you calculate any acceleration along a path.
D v 45m / s
a= = =3.0 m / s 2
Dt 15s
(b) Calculate the radial acceleration when the instantaneous speed is equal to 30 m/s. Just plug values in
the centripetal acceleration formula to solve this:
v 2 (30m / s) 2
aR = = =1.8 m / s 2
r 500 m

23) The hydrogen atom consists of a proton of mass 1.67 × 10-27 kg and an orbiting electron of mass 9.11
× 10-31 kg. In one of its orbits, the electron is 5.3 × 10-11 m from the proton. What is the mutual
attractive force between the electron and proton? Just plug in values to the universal gravity formula

17
here:
Gm1m2 (6.67 x 10 - 11 )(1.67 x 10 - 27 kg)(9.11 x 10 - 31 kg)
FG = = =3.6 x 10- 47 N
r2 ( - 11
5.3 x 10 m
2
)
**24) What is the gravitational force on a 70-kg person standing on the Earth, due to the Moon? The mass
of the Moon is 7.36 × 1022 kg and the distance to the Moon is 3.82 × 108 m. Just plug in values to the
universal gravity formula here:

Gm1m2 (6.67 x 10 - 11 )(7.36 x 10 22 kg)(70kg)

FG = = =.002 N
r2 (
3.82 x 108 m
2
)
25) The gravitational attractive force between two masses is F. If the masses are moved to half of their
initial distance, what is the gravitational attractive force?
A) 4F
B) 2F
C) F/2
D) F/4
This is a problem where you are asked to change one variable affecting a system and determine what the
effect is on another variable. As always with this type of problem it is best to write out the relationship
and visually see the effect in the formula rather than try to reason out the answer—you will usually
waste more time by trying to reason things out. This particular problem involves the gravitational force
relationship so write this out. As we want to see what happens when we halve the distance I would write
the relationship out and indicate what is changing (multiplying r by ½) by drawing a box around it.
Because whatever we do to the radius needs to be squared, multiplying the radius by ½ would change
the value in the denominator by ¼. This would be the same thing as multiplying the resulting force by 4.
So, the answer would be 4F (or a).
Gm1m2
Fg = ® 4 Fg
1
2
r2

26) For a spacecraft going from the Earth toward the Sun, at what distance from the Earth will the
gravitational forces due to the Sun and the Earth cancel?
Earth's mass: Me = 5.98 × 1024 kg
the Sun's mass: Ms = 1.99 × 1030 kg
Earth-Sun distance: r = 1.50 × 1011 m
Remember that we said in class, the approach to this problem is to recognize that at the point the
gravitational forces from the sun and earth “cancel,” the force of gravity from the sun on the spacecraft
has to equal the force of gravity from the earth. We can therefore set the formulas equal to each other
and solve for the distance from the earth, recognizing that the distance from the sun would then be
earth-sun minus distance from the earth.

18
 2
G mcraft mS G mcraft mE rE2 m æ rE ö m
FG sun on craft = = ® = E®ç ÷ =m
E

è ( E- S E ) ø
2
(r - rE ) rE2 (r - rE )
2
mS r - r S
E- S E- S

rE m m mE
= E ® rE = E rE- S - r
( rE- S - rE ) mS mS mS E
mE (5.98 x 10 24 kg)
r (1.5 x 1011 m)
mE m mS E- S 30
1.99 x 10 kg
rE (1+ ) = E rE- S rE = = =2.6 x 108 m
mS mS mE 24
(5.98 x 10 kg)
(1+ ) 1+
mS 1.99 x 1030 kg

27) The mass of the Moon is 7.4 × 1022 kg and its mean radius is 1.75 × 103 km. What is the acceleration
due to gravity at the surface of the Moon?
Gm1m2 Gmmoon
FG =mg = ® g =
You know at the surface of the moon, r2 r 2 . Just plug in the values to
find g at the surface of the moon.
Gm1m2 Gmmoon (6.67 x 10 - 11 )(7.4 x 1022 kg)
FG =mg = 2 ® g = 2 = 6 2
=1.6 m / s 2
r r (1.75 x 10 m)
28) An astronaut goes out for a "space-walk" at a distance above the Earth equal to the radius of the Earth.
What is her acceleration due to gravity?
G m1 m2 GmE
FG = m g = 2
® g=
You know at the surface of the earth r r 2 . Therefore, if r is doubled,
acceleration due to gravity must decrease by ¼. The astronaut’s acceleration due to gravity is ¼ g.

**29) The radius of the Earth is R. At what distance above the Earth's surface will the acceleration of
gravity be 4.9 m/s2?
G m1 m2 GmE
FG = m g = 2
® g=
You know at the surface of the earth r r 2 . As G and mE are
constants, if you decrease g by ½, this means that the value for r2 is going to need to be doubled. To do
this, r will need to be multiplied by the square root of 2. This would give a new radius of 1.41 R.
However, the question asks for the distance above the surface of the earth, so the answer would be .41 R.

**30) A satellite encircles Mars at a distance above its surface equal to 3 times the radius of Mars. The
acceleration of gravity of the satellite, as compared to the acceleration of gravity on the surface of Mars, is
At a distance 3 times the radius of Mars above the surface, the satellite is 4 times the radius away from
the gravitation center. As gravity decreases by the square of the radius this means that the acceleration
due to gravity on the satellite will be (1/4)2 = 1/16 that of gravity at the surface.

31) At a distance of 14000 km from some planet's center, the acceleration of gravity is 32 m/s2. What is
the acceleration of gravity at a point 28000 km from the planet's center?
Understand right from the beginning that you do not need to plug in values and solve for this
acceleration with the values given. You have been told that the distance to the gravitational center has
been doubled (28000 vs 14000) so you can just write out the relationship that describes the acceleration
due to gravity to the force due to gravity and see what happens to g when you double r. Remember that
the acceleration due to gravity times the mass (mg) describes the force due to gravity at a certain
distance from the gravitational center. Therefore, it can be set equal to the force due to gravity formula

19
and isolated for g. Then, as you want to see what happens when you double the distance, indicate what
is changing (multiplying r by 2) by drawing a box around it. Because whatever we do to the radius
needs to be squared, multiplying the radius by 2 would change the value in the denominator by 4 times.
This would be the same thing as multiplying the resulting g by ¼.
G m1 mplanet Gm2 1 1
mg = 2
® g= ® g = (32 m / s 2 ) =8.0 m / s 2
r 2 r2 4 4

32) An object weighs 432 N on the surface of the Earth. The Earth has radius r. If the object is raised to a
height of 3r above the Earth's surface, what is its weight?
As the force due to gravity decreases by the square of the radius, the force due to gravity at 3r above the
surface (3r + r = 4r) will be (1/4)2 = 1/16 that at the surface of the earth.

(432 N )(1/ 16) =27 N

33) By how many newtons does the weight of a 100-kg person change when he goes from sea level to an
altitude of 5000 m? (The mean radius of the Earth is 6.38 × 106 m.)
The weight is the force due to gravity, and the relationship that describes the F g to the radius of a
Gm1m2
Fg =
gravitational body is r 2 . We are asked to find the change in Fg the weight of a 100 kg
individual by slightly increasing the radius. Because the ratio of the second radius to the first radius is
not a nice even whole number that can easily be squared so we can easily see what changing the radius
by this small amount does, the quickest way through this will simply be to calculate the values for weight
at each radius and find the difference. Understand the increasing the radius by 5000 m increases the
radius from 6.380 x 106 m to 6.385 x 106 m.
- 11 Nkg 2
Gm m (6.67 x10 m2
)(100kg)(5.98x10 24 kg)
Fg = 12 2 = 2
=979.90N
r ( 6.380x106 m )
2
- 11 Nkg
Gm m (6.67 x10 m2
)(100kg)(5.98x10 24 kg)
Fg = 12 2 = 2
=978.37 N
r ( 6.385x10 m) 6

979.90 N - 978.37 N =1.5N

34) The Earth has radius r. A satellite of mass 100 kg is at a point 3r above the Earth's surface. What is the
satellite's weight?

You are asked to find the weight of a satellite—that is, you are asked to find the force due to gravity—at
a point above the earth that is 3r above the surface. You know that the relationship to find F g is
Gm1m2
Fg =
r 2 . However, you are not given mass of the earth. Even though you can look up the mass
of the earth and plug all the values in and solve for Fg at 3r, there is an easier way. You can easily find
out what the weight is at the surface of the earth, and then find out what affect multiplying the radius by
4 is on Fg (you are at 1r at the surface—you would be at 4r, three more times r above the surface). Then
multiply the weight at the surface by this factor. As you want to see what happens when you multiply the
radius by 4, indicate what is changing (multiplying r by 4) by drawing a box around it. Because
whatever we do to the radius needs to be squared, multiplying the radius by 4 would change the value in
the denominator by 16 times. This would be the same thing as multiplying the resulting F g by 1/16. As
the weight at the surface would be mg (100kg x 9.8=980N). The weight at 3r will equal 1/16 times 980
N.

20
 Gm1m2 1 1
Fg = ®® F (980) =61.3N
4 r2 16 g 16

35) A spherically symmetric planet has four times the Earth's mass and twice its radius. If a jar of peanut
butter weighs 12 N on the surface of the Earth, how much would it weigh on the surface of this planet?
This is a problem where you are asked to change one variable affecting a system and determine what the
effect is on another variable. As always with this type of problem it is best to write out the relationship
and visually see the effect in the formula rather than try to reason out the answer—you will usually
waste more time by trying to reason things out. This particular problem involves the gravitational force
relationship so write this out. As we want to see what happens to F g when we multiply the planet mass
by 4 and double the radius I would write the relationship out and indicate what is changing by drawing
a box around it. Because whatever we do to the radius needs to be squared, multiplying the radius by 2
would change the value in the denominator by 4. As we have also multiplied the mass by 4 in the
numerator, these two changes will cancel out and the resulting weight (F g) will not change.

Gm1 4 m2 Gm1 4 m2
Fg = ® Fg is still 12 N
2 r2 4r 2

36) During a lunar eclipse, the Moon, Earth, and Sun all lie on the same line, with the Earth between the
Moon and the Sun. The Moon has a mass of 7.36 × 1022 kg; the Earth has a mass of 5.98 × 1024 kg; and
the Sun has a mass of 1.99 × 1030 kg. The separation between the Moon and the Earth is given by 3.84 ×
108 m; the separation between the Earth and the Sun is given by 1.496 × 1011 m.

(a) Calculate the force exerted on the Earth by the Moon.

Use the law of gravitation to find this force:
GmM mE (6.67 x 10 - 11 )(7.36 x 10 22 kg)(5.98 x 10 24 kg)
FG = 2
= 2
=1.99 x 1020 N
r (
3.84 x 108 m )
(b) Calculate the force exerted on the Earth by the Sun.
Use the law of gravitation to find this force:
GmE mS (6.67 x 10 - 11 )(5.98 x 10 24 kg)(1.99 x 1030 kg)
FG = 2
= 2
=3.50 x 10 22 N
r (
1.496 x 1011 m )
(c) Calculate the net force exerted on the Earth by the Moon and the Sun.
If the moon exerts a force of 1.99 x 1020 N on the earth and the sun exerts a force of 3.50 x 1022 N in the
opposite direction, the net force is given by
å ( ) ( )
F =FMonE + FSonE = - 1.99 x 1020 N + 3.50 x 1022 N =3.48 x 1022 N toward the sun

37) A 2.10-kg brass ball is transported to the Moon.

(a) Calculate the acceleration due to gravity on the Moon. The radius of the Moon is 1.74 × 106 m and the
mass of the Moon is 7.35 × 1022 kg.
We know that the force due to gravity is mg, and we can therefore set this equal to the formula for the
universal law of gravitation, and isolate and solve for g. In this circumstance you’ve been given the
information you need to plug in.
(6.67 x10- 11 Nm
2
G m1 m2 kg 2
)(7.35x1022 kg)
mg = 2
= 2
=1.62m / s 2
r ( 1.74x10 m) 6

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(b) Determine the mass of the brass ball on the Earth and on the Moon.

(c) Determine the weight of the brass ball on the Earth.

(d) Determine the weight of the brass ball on the Moon.

**38) A satellite is in a low circular orbit about the Earth (i.e., it just skims the surface of the Earth). What
is the speed of the satellite? (The mean radius of the Earth is 6.38 × 106 m.)
You will need to use the formula for velocity of an orbiting body. Plug in values and solve.
GmE (6.67 x 10 - 11 )(5.98 x 1024 kg)
v= = =7900 m / s
r (6.38 x 106 m)

39) A satellite is in a low circular orbit about the Earth (i.e., it just skims the surface of the Earth). How
long does it take to make one revolution around the Earth? (The mean radius of the Earth is 6.38 × 106 m.)
You will need to use the one orbiting body version of Keppler’s 3rd Law. Isolate period, plug in the
values and solve.
4p 2r 3Sat 4p 2 (6.38 x 106 m)3
TSat = = =5070 s =84.5 min
GmE (6.67 x 10 - 11 )(5.98 x 10 24 kg)

**40) A satellite is in circular orbit 230 km above the surface of the Earth. It is observed to have a period
of 89 min. What is the mass of the Earth? (The mean radius of the Earth is 6.38 × 106 m.)
You will need to use the one orbiting body version of Keppler’s 3rd Law. Isolate mass, plug in the values
and solve. You need to convert minutes to seconds and km to meters and you need to add the 230 km to
the radius of the earth.
3
rSat GmE 4p 2 rSat
3
4p 2 (6.61 x 106 m)3
2
= 2
® mE
= 2
= - 11 2
=6.0 x 10 24 kg
TSat 4p GTSat (6.67 x 10 )(89 min x 60s / min)

41) Europa, a moon of Jupiter, has an orbital diameter of 1.34 × 109 m, and a period of 3.55 days. What is
the mass of Jupiter?
You will need to use the one orbiting body version of Keppler’s 3rd Law. Isolate mass, plug in the values
and solve. Be careful—this problem gives you an orbital diameter, not an orbital radius.

rE3 GmJ 4p 2rE3 4p 2 (6.7 x 108 m)3

= 2 ® mJ = = =1.89 x 1027 kg
TE 4p
2
GTE 2 - 11
(6.67 x 10 )(3.55 d x 24 x 60 x 60) 2

42) The innermost moon of Jupiter orbits the planet with a radius of 422 × 103 km and a period of 1.77
days. What is the mass of Jupiter?

43**) Two moons orbit a planet in nearly circular orbits. Moon A has orbital radius r, and moon B has
orbital radius 4r. Moon A takes 20 days to complete one orbit. How long does it take moon B to complete
an orbit?
You will need to use Keppler’s 3rd law for two gravitation bodies (see note at beginning of
quantitative problems.) Isolate T2 for moon B, plug in known values and solve—you already
know that the ratio of the orbital radii is 4:1.
3
rA3 rB3 rB3 2 æ4r ö 3
=
TA2 TB2
® TB = 3 TA =ç ÷ (20d)2 ® TB =
2

rA è1r ø
( 4) (20d)2 =160d

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44) The planet Jupiter is 7.78 × 1011 m from the Sun. How long does it take for Jupiter to orbit once
about the Sun? (The distance from the Earth to the Sun is 1.50 × 1011 m.)
You will need to use Keppler’s 3rd law for two gravitation bodies (see note at beginning of
quantitative problems.) Isolate T2 for Jupiter, plug in known values and solve. (You know that
the orbital period of the earth is 1 year.
3 3
rJ3 rE3 2 rJ3 2 æ 7.78 x 1011 m ö 2
æ7.78 x 1011 m ö
2
= 2
® TJ
= T
3 E
=ç 11 ÷ (1yr) ® TJ
= ç 11 ÷ (1yr)2 =11.8 yr
TJ TE rE è 1.50 x 10 m ø è1.50 x 10 m ø

45) It takes the planet Jupiter 12 years to orbit the Sun once. What is the average distance from Jupiter to
the Sun? (The distance from the Earth to the Sun is 1.5 × 1011 m.)
You will need to use Keppler’s 3rd law for two gravitational bodies (see note at beginning of
quantitative problems.) You already have that the ratio of the periods is 12 years to 1 year, and
you have been given the average orbital radius for the earth. Isolate r 3 for Jupiter, plug in
known values and solve.
2 2
rJ3 rE3 3 TJ2 3 æ 12 yr ö æ12 yr ö
= ® r = r =ç ÷ (1.5 x 1011 m)3 ® rJ = 3 ç ÷ (1.5 x 1011 m)3
2
TJ TE 2 J
TE2 E
è 1yr ø è 1yr ø
=7.9 x 1011 m
156 points

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