Question

An exoplanet has three times the mass and one-fourth the radius of the Earth. Find the acceleration due to gravity on its surface, in terms of g, the acceleration of gravity at Earth's surface. A planet's gravitational acceleration is given by gp = G Mp/r^2p
a. 12.0 g.
b. 48.0 g.
c. 6.00 g.
d. 96.0 g.
e. 24.0 g.

Answer 1

Answer:

b. 48.0 g.

Explanation:

Given;

mass of the exoplanet, $M_p = 3M_e$

radius of the exoplanet, $r_p = \frac{1}{4} r_e$

The acceleration due to gravity of the planet is calculated as;

$g_p = \frac{GM_p}{r_p^2} \\\\for \ Earth's \ surface\\\\g = \frac{GM_e}{r_e^2} \\\\G = \frac{gr_e^2}{M_e} = \frac{g_pr_p^2}{M_p} \\\\\frac{gr_e^2}{M_e} = \frac{g_p(\frac{r_e}{4}) ^2}{3M_e} \\\\\frac{gr_e^2}{M_e} = \frac{g_pr_e ^2}{16\times 3M_e} \\\\g = \frac{g_p}{48} \\\\g_p = 48 \ g$

Therefore, the correct option is b. 48.0 g