Question

Given that the mass of the Earth is 5.972 * 10^24 kg and the radius of the Earth is

6.371 * 10^6 m and the gravitational acceleration at the surface of the Earth is 9.81
m/s^2 what is the gravitational acceleration at the surface of an alien planet with
2.4 times the mass of the Earth and 1.9 times the radius of the Earth?
Although you do not necessarily need it the universal gravitational constant is G =
6.674 * 10^(-11) N*m^2/kg^2
9

Answer 1

gₓ = 6.52 m/s²

Step-by-step explanation:

The value of acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth is given as:

g = GM/R² -------------------- equation 1

where,

g = acceleration due to gravity on surface of earth

G = Universal Gravitational Constant

M = Mass of Earth

R = Radius of Earth

Now, for the alien planet:

gₓ = GMₓ/Rₓ²

where,

gₓ = acceleration due to gravity at the surface of alien planet

Mₓ = Mass of Alien Planet = 2.4 M

Rₓ = Radius of Alien Planet = 1.9 R

Therefore,

gₓ = G(2.4 M)/(1.9 R)²

gₓ = 0.66 GM/R²

using equation 1

gₓ = 0.66 g

gₓ = (0.66)(9.81 m/s²)

gₓ = 6.52 m/s²