Question #117705
What is the magnitude of the gravitational force that acts between the Sun and the Earth? (Include a diagram)
How fast does the Earth need to be moving to stay in orbit around the sun?
1
Expert's answer
2020-05-25T11:01:07-0400


1. According to the Newton's law of universal gravitation, the magnitude of the gravitational force that acts between the Sun and the Earth is given by the following expression:


F=GMEarthMSunR2F = G\cdot \dfrac{M_{Earth}M_{Sun}}{R^2}

where MEarth=5.971024kgM_{Earth} = 5.97\cdot 10^{24} kg and MSun=1.991030kgM_{Sun} = 1.99 \cdot 10^{30} kg are masses of Earth and Sun respectively, R=150109mR = 150\cdot 10^9 m is the average distance between Earth and Sun and G=6.671011m3kg1s2G = 6.67\cdot 10^{-11} m^3 kg^{-1} s^{-2} is the gravitational constant.

Thus:


F=6.6710115.9710241.99103015021018=3.51022NF = 6.67\cdot 10^{-11} \cdot \dfrac{5.97\cdot 10^{24}\cdot1.99 \cdot 10^{30}}{150^2\cdot 10^{18}} = 3.5\cdot 10^{22}N

2. According to the Newton's second law, the acceleration of Earth is:


a=F/MEarth=3.510225.971024=5.86103m/s2a = F/M_{Earth} = \dfrac{ 3.5\cdot 10^{22}}{5.97\cdot 10^{24}} = 5.86\cdot 10^{-3} m/s^2

Let's assume, that Earth moves on a circular orbit with a constant speed. Then the speed will be:


v=aR=5.86103150109=2.96104m/s=29.8km/sv = \sqrt{aR} = \sqrt{5.86\cdot10^{-3}\cdot150\cdot10^{9}} = 2.96\cdot 10^4 m/s = 29.8 km/s

Answer. F = 3.5*10^22 N, v = 29.8 km/s


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Comments

Monica
25.05.20, 21:27

Thank you!

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