Question

The center of a moon of mass m is a distance D from the center of a planet of mass M. At some distance x from the center of the planet, along a line connecting the centers of planet and moon, the net force on an object will be zero. (a) Derive an expression for x in terms of m, M, and D. (b) If the net force is zero a distance 2/3D from the planet, what is the ratio R of the mass of the planet to the mass of the moon, M/m?

Answer 1

Answer:

x = D (M/M-m) 2.41

Explanation:

a) Let's apply Newton's second law to find the summation of force, where each force is given by the law of universal gravitation

        F = g m₁m₂ / r²

        Σ F = 0

       F1- F2 = 0

       F1 = F2

We set the reference system in the body of greatest mass (M) the planet

       F1 = g m₁ M / x²

       F2 = G m1 m / (D-x)²

      G m₁ M / x² = G m₁ m / (D-x)²

      M (D-x)² = m x²

      MD² -2MD x + M x² = m x²

     x² (M-m) -2MD x + MD² = 0

We solve the second degree equation

     x = [2MD  ±√ (4M²D² - 4 (M-m) MD²)] / 2 (M-m)

     x = {2MD ± 2D √ (M² + (M-m) M)} / 2 (M-m)

     x = D {M  ±  Ra (2M²-mM)} / (M-m)

    x = D (M ± M √ (2-m/M)) / (M-m)

    x = D (M / (M-m)) (1 ±√ (2-m/M)

Let's analyze this result, the value of M-m >> 1, so if we take the negative root, the value of x would be negative, it is out of the point between the two bodies, so the correct result must be taken with the positive root

 

    x = D (M / (M-m)) (1 + √2)

     x = D (M/M-m) 2.41

b) X = 2/3 D

     x = D (M/M-m) 2.41

     2/3 D = D (M/(M-m)) 2.41

     2/3 (M-m) = M 2.41

     2/3 M - 2/3 m = 2.41 M

     1.743 M = 0.667 m

     M/m = 0.667/1.743

     M/m =  0.38