Question

A deep-space satellite is sent to orbit a distant planet with unknown mass. On

arrival, the satellite begins its orbit and measures a gravitational pull from the
planet of 120 N. If the satellite has a mass of 450 kg and orbits the planet at a
radius of 4.0 x 106 m, what is the approximate mass of the planet?

Answer 1

Answer:M ≈ 1.44 x 10^24 kg

Explanation: We can use Newton's law of universal gravitation to solve this problem. The formula is:

F = (G * M * m) / r^2

The formula represents Newton's law of universal gravitation, relating the gravitational force (F) between two objects to their masses (M and m) and the distance between them (r).

Where:

F = Gravitational force between the satellite and the planet (120 N in this case)

G = Gravitational constant (approximately 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2)

M = Mass of the planet (unknown)

m = Mass of the satellite (450 kg)

r = Distance between the center of the planet and the satellite (4.0 x 10^6 m)

M = (F * r^2) / (G * m)

M = (120 N * (4.0 x 10^6 m)^2) / (6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2 * 450 kg)