1 Chapter 13

Chapter 13

1. (a) From Eq. 13-40, we see that the energy of each satellite is −GMEm/2r. The total energy of
the two satellites is twice that result:

GM E m (6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(5.98 ×1024 kg)(270 kg)

E=
E A + EB =
− =
−
r 7.87 ×106 m
−1.37 ×1010 J.
=

(b) We note that the speed of the wreckage will be zero (immediately after the collision), so it has
no kinetic energy at that moment. Replacing m with 2m in the potential energy expression, we
therefore find the total energy of the wreckage at that instant is

GM E (2m) (6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(5.98 ×1024 kg)2(270 kg)

E=
− =
− 6
−1.37 ×1010 J..
=
2r 2(7.87 ×10 m)

(c) An object with zero speed at that distance from Earth will simply fall toward the Earth, its
trajectory being toward the center of the planet.

2. The gravitational force at a radial distance r inside Earth (e.g., point A in the figure) is

GMm
Fg = − r
R3

The component of the force along the tunnel is

 GMm  x GMm
Fg sin θ =
Fx = − 3 r = − 3 x
 R r R

which can be rewritten as

d 2 x GM
ax = −ω 2 x
− 3 x=
dt 2 R

where ω 2 = GM / R 3 . The equation is similar to Hooke’s law, in that the force on the train is
proportional to the displacement of the train but oppositely directed. Without exiting the tunnel,
the motion of the train would be periodic would a period given by T = 2π / ω. The travel time
required from Boston to Washington DC is only half that (one-way):
 2 Chapter 13

T π R3 (6.37 ×106 m)3

∆t = = = π = π = 2529 s = 42.1 min
2 ω GM (6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(5.98 × 1024 kg)

Note that the result is independent of the distance between the two cities.

3. THINK The magnitude of gravitational force between two objects depends on their distance of
separation.

EXPRESS The magnitude of the gravitational force of one particle on the other is given by F =
Gm1m2/r2, where m1 and m2 are the masses, r is their separation, and G is the universal gravitational
constant.

ANALYZE Solve for r using the values given, we obtain

=r
Gm1m2
=
( 6.67 ×10 −11
N ⋅ m 2 / kg 2 ) ( 9.1 kg )( 4.2 kg )
= 33.2 m ≈ 33 m. .
F 2.3 ×10−12 N

LEARN The force of gravitation is inversely proportional to r 2 .

4. (a) The gravitational potential energy is

U =−
GMm
=−
( 6.67 ×10 −11
m3 / s 2 ⋅ kg ) ( 9.1 kg )( 4.2 kg )
= −7.7 ×10−11 J.
r 33.2 m

(b) Since the change in potential energy is

GMm  GMm  2
 = − ( −7.7 ×10 J ) = 5.2 ×10 J,
−11 −11
∆U = − −−
3r  r  3

the work done by the gravitational force is W = − ∆U = −5.2 × 10−11 J.

(c) The work done by you is W´ = ∆U = 5.2 × 10−11 J.

5. (a) If r is the radius of the orbit then the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the
satellite is given by GMm/r2, where M is the mass of Earth and m is the mass of the satellite. The
magnitude of the acceleration of the satellite is given by v2/r, where v is its speed. Newton’s second
law yields GMm/r2 = mv2/r. Since the radius of Earth is 6.37 × 106 m, the orbit radius is r = (6.37
× 106 m + 300 × 103 m) = 6.67 × 106 m. The solution for v is
 3 Chapter 13

GM (6.67 × 10−11 m3 / s 2 ⋅ kg) (5.98 × 1024 kg)

=v = 6
= 7.73 × 103 m/s.
r 6.67 × 10 m

(b) Since the circumference of the circular orbit is 2πr, the period is

2π r 2π (6.53 × 106 m)
T
= = 3
= 5.419 × 103 s.
v 7.73 × 10 m/s

This is equivalent to 90.3 min.

6. The gravitational force exerted on m due to a mass element dM from the thin rod is

Gm(dM )
dFg =
R2

By symmetry, the force is along the y-

direction. With

M  M
= λ=
dM dl  θ
 R d= dθ
πR  π

where λ = M / π R is the mass density (mass per unit length), we have

Gm  M dθ  GMm
dFg , y dF
= =g sin θ 2 
=  sin θ sin θ dθ
R  π  π R2
Integrating over θ gives

π GMm GMm π 2GMm

=Fg , y ∫=
πR
0
sin θ dθ
2
=
πR 2 ∫0
sin θ dθ
π R2

Substituting the values given leads to

2GMm 2(6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(5.0 kg)(3.0 ×10−3 kg)

F=
g,y = = 1.51×10−12 N
πR 2
π (0.650 m) 2

If the rod were a complete circle, by symmetry, the net force on the particle would be zero.

7. We require the magnitude of force (given by Eq. 13-1) exerted by particle C on A be equal to
that exerted by B on A. Thus,
 4 Chapter 13

GmA mC GmA mB
= d2 .
r2

We substitute in mB = 3.00mA and mC = 55.0mA, and (after canceling “mA”) solve for r. We find r
= 4.28d. Thus, particle C is placed on the x axis, to the left of particle A (so it is at a negative value
of x), at x = –4.28d.

8. Using Eq. 13-1, we find

→ 2GmA2 ^ → 4GmA2 ^
FAB = j , = – 3d2 i .
FAC
d2

Since the vector sum of all three forces must be zero, we find the third force (using magnitude-
angle notation) is
→ GmA2
FAD = d2 (4.8074 ∠ –56.3º) .

→
This tells us immediately the direction of the vector r (pointing from the origin to particle D),
but to find its magnitude we must solve (with mD = 4mA) the following equation:

2
GmA  GmAmD
4.8074 d2  = r2 .
 

→
This yields r = 0.9122d. In magnitude-angle notation, then, r = (0.9122 ∠ –56.3º) , with SI
units understood.

(a) In (x, y) notation, the x coordinate is x = 0.506d.

(b) Similarly, the y coordinate is y = −0.759d.

9. THINK Earth’s gravitational acceleration varies with altitude.

EXPRESS The acceleration due to gravity is given by ag = GM/r2, where M is the mass of Earth
and r is the distance from Earth’s center. We substitute r = R + h, where R is the radius of Earth
and h is the altitude, to obtain

GM GM
ag
= = 2
.
r ( RE + h) 2

ANALYZE Solving for h, we =

obtain h GM / ag − RE . From Appendix C, RE = 6.37 × 106 m
and M = 5.98 × 1024 kg, so
 5 Chapter 13

h=
( 6.67 ×10 −11
m3 / s 2 ⋅ kg )( 5.98 ×1024 kg )
− 6.37 ×106 m =6.8 ×106 m.
( 2.3 m / s )
2

LEARN We may rewrite ag as

GM GM / RE2 g
ag
= = 2
= 2
r (1 + h / RE ) (1 + h / RE ) 2

where g = 9.83 m/s 2 is the gravitational

acceleration on Earth’s surface. The plot here
depicts how ag decreases with increasing altitude.

RE 6.37 ×106 m . With

10. (a) We note that the altitude of the rocket is h= R − RE where =
M 5.98 ×1024 kg , R0 = RE + h0 = 6.57 × 106 m and R = 7.37 × 106 m, we have
=

1 GmM GmM
Ki + U i = K + U ⇒ m (3.70 × 103 m/s) 2 − = K − ,
2 R0 R

which yields K = 3.83 × 107 J.

(b) Again, we use energy conservation.

1 GmM GmM
K i + U i =K f + U f ⇒ m (3.70 × 103 ) 2 − =0 −
2 R0 Rf

Therefore, we find Rf = 7.40 × 106 m. This corresponds to a distance of 1034.9 km ≈ 1.03 × 103
km above the Earth’s surface.

11. THINK We apply Kepler’s laws to analyze the motion of the asteroid.

EXPRESS We use the law of periods: T2 = (4π2/GM)r3, where M is the mass of the Sun (1.99 ×
1030 kg) and r is the radius of the orbit. On the other hand, the kinetic energy of any asteroid or
planet in a circular orbit of radius r is given by K = GMm/2r, where m is the mass of the asteroid
or planet. We note that it is proportional to m and inversely proportional to r.

ANALYZE (a) The radius of the orbit is twice the radius of Earth’s orbit: r = 3rSE = 3(150 × 109
m) = 450 × 109 m. Thus, the period of the asteroid is
 6 Chapter 13

4π 2 r 3 4π 2 (450 × 109 m)3

T
= = −11 3 2
= 1.646 × 108 s.
30
GM (6.67 × 10 m / s ⋅ kg) (1.99 × 10 kg)

Dividing by (365 d/y) (24 h/d) (60 min/h) (60 s/min), we obtain T = 5.2 y.

(b) The ratio of the kinetic energy of the asteroid to the kinetic energy of Earth is

K GMm / (2r ) m rSE 1

= = ⋅ = (2.0 ×10− 4 )   = 6.7 × 10− 5 .
K E GMM E / (2rSE ) M E r 3

12. Let the distance from Earth to the spaceship be r. Rem = 3.82 × 108 m is the distance from Earth
to the moon. Thus,
GM m m GM e m
Fm = = FE = ,
( Rem − r )
2
r2

where m is the mass of the spaceship. Solving for r, we obtain

Rem 3.82 ×108 m

=r = = 3.44 ×108 m .
M m / Me +1 22 24
(7.36 ×10 kg) /(5.98 ×10 kg) + 1

13. (a) Applying Eq. 13-21 and the Pythagorean theorem leads to

2
GM 2GmM 
U = –  2D + 2 
 y + D2 

where M is the mass of particle B (also that of particle C) and m is the mass of particle A. The
value given in the problem statement (for infinitely large y, for which the second term above
vanishes) determines M, since D is given. Thus M = 1.0 kg.

(b) We estimate (from the graph) the y = 0 value to be Uo = – 3.5 × 10−10 J. Using this, our
expression above determines m. We obtain m = 3.0 kg.

15. Kepler’s law of periods, expressed as a ratio, is

3 2 3 2
 rs   Ts  1  Ts 
  =   ⇒ =  
 rm   Tm   3   1 lunar month 

which yields Ts = 0.19 lunar month for the period of the satellite.
 7 Chapter 13

37. (a) The work done by you in moving the sphere of mass mB equals the change in the potential
energy of the three-sphere system. The initial potential energy is

GmA mB GmA mC GmB mC

Ui =
− − −
d L L−d

and the final potential energy is

GmA mB GmA mC GmB mC

Uf =
− − − .
L−d L d

The work done is

 1 1   1 1 
W = U f − U i = GmB  mA  −  + mC  − 
 d L−d   L − d d 
 L − 2d 2d − L  L − 2d
= GmB  mA + mC  GmB (mA − mC )
=
 d (L − d ) d (L − d )  d (L − d )
0.12 m − 2(0.040 m)
(6.67 × 10−11 m3 / s 2 ⋅ kg) (0.010 kg)(0.080 kg − 0.030 kg)
=
(0.040 m)(0.12 − 0.040 m)
+ 4.2 × 10−13 J.
=

(b) The work done by the force of gravity is −(Uf − Ui) = −4.2 × 10−13 J.

16. Energy conservation for this situation may be expressed as follows:

1 2 GmM 1 2 GmM
K1 + U1 = K 2 + U 2 ⇒ mv1 − = mv2 −
2 r1 2 r2

where M = 7.0 × 1024 kg, r2 = R = 1.6 × 106 m, and r1 = ∞ (which means that U1 = 0). We are told
to assume the meteor starts at rest, so v1 = 0. Thus, K1 + U1 = 0, and the above equation is rewritten
as
1 2 GmM 2GM
mv2 − ⇒ v2 = = 2.4 × 104 m s.
2 r2 R

17. THINK The satellite moves in an elliptical orbit about Earth. An elliptical orbit can be
characterized by its semi-major axis and eccentricity.

EXPRESS The greatest distance between the satellite and Earth’s center (the apogee distance) and
the least distance (perigee distance) are, respectively,

Ra = RE + da = 6.37 × 106 m + 400 × 103 m = 6.77 × 106 m

 8 Chapter 13

Rp = RE + dp = 6.37 × 106 m + 280 × 103 m = 6.65 × 106 m.

Here RE = 6.37 × 106 m is the radius of Earth.

ANALYZE The semi-major axis is given by

Ra + R p 6.77 × 106 m + 6.65 × 106 m

a
= = = 6.71 × 106 m.
2 2

(b) The apogee and perigee distances are related to the eccentricity e by Ra = a(1 + e) and Rp = a(1
− e). Add to obtain Ra + Rp = 2a and a = (Ra + Rp)/2. Subtract to obtain Ra − Rp = 2ae. Thus,

Ra − R p Ra − R p 6.77 × 106 m − 6.65 × 106 m

=e = = = 8.94 ×10−3.
2a Ra + R p 6.77 × 106 m + 6.65 × 106 m

LEARN Since e is very small, the orbit is nearly circular. On the other hand, if e is close to unity,
then the orbit would be a long, thin ellipse.

18. We integrate Eq. 13-1 with respect to r from 3RE to 4RE and obtain the work equal to

 1 1  GM E m
W = −∆U = −GM E m  − = .
 4 RE 3RE  12 RE

19. Let m = 0.030 kg and d = 0.600 m (the original edge-length, in terms of which the final edge-
length is d/3). The total initial gravitational potential energy (using Eq. 13-21 and some elementary
trigonometry) is

4Gm2 2Gm2
Ui = – d – 2d .

Since U is inversely proportional to r then reducing the size by 1/3 means increasing the magnitude
of the potential energy by a factor of 3, so

2
 Gm 
Uf = 3Ui ⇒ ∆U = 2Ui = 2(4 + 2 )– d  = –2.66 × 10–12 J .
 

20. (a) Because it is moving in a circular orbit, F/m must equal the centripetal acceleration:

80 N v 2
= .
50 kg r
 9 Chapter 13

However, v = 2πr/T, where T = 21600 s, so we are led to

4π 2
1.6 m/s 2 = r
T2

which yields r = 1.9 × 107 m.

(b) From the above calculation, we infer v2 = (1.6 m/s2)r, which leads to v2 = 3.0 × 107 m2/s2. Thus,
K = ½mv2 = 7.6 × 108 J.

(c) As discussed in Section 13-4, F/m also tells us the gravitational acceleration:

GM
=ag 1.6
= m/s 2 .
r2

We therefore find M = 8.6 × 1024 kg.

21. If the lead sphere were not hollowed the magnitude of the force it exerts on m would be F1 =
GMm/d2. Part of this force is due to material that is removed. We calculate the force exerted on m
by a sphere that just fills the cavity, at the position of the cavity, and subtract it from the force of
the solid sphere.

The cavity has a radius r = R/2. The material that fills it has the same density (mass to volume
ratio) as the solid sphere, that is, Mc/r3= M/R3, where Mc is the mass that fills the cavity. The
common factor 4π/3 has been canceled. Thus,

 r3   R3  M
Mc =  3  M =  3  M = .
R   8R  8

The center of the cavity is d − r = d − R/2 from m, so the force it exerts on m is

G ( M/8 ) m
F2 = .
( d − R/2 )
2

The force of the hollowed sphere on m is

 1 1  GMm  1 
F = F1 − F2 = GMm  2 −  =  1 − 
d 8 ( d − R / 2 )
2
 d 2
 8 (1 − R / 2d )2 
   
−11 3 2
(6.67 ×10 m /s ⋅ kg)(3.50 kg)(0.532 kg)  1 
−2 2 1 − −2 −2 2 
(9.00 ×10 m)  8[1 − (4 ×10 m) / (18 ×10 m)] 
= 1.22 ×10−8 N.
 10 Chapter 13

22. THINK The orbit of the shuttle goes from circular to elliptical after changing its speed by
firing the thrusters.

EXPRESS We first use the law of periods: T2 = (4π2/GM)r3, where M is the mass of the planet
and r is the radius of the orbit. After the orbit of the shuttle turns elliptical by firing the thrusters
to reduce its speed, the semi-major axis is a = − GMm / 2 E , where E= K + U is the mechanical
energy of the shuttle and its new period becomes T ′ = 4π 2 a 3 / GM .

ANALYZE (a) Using Kepler’s law of periods, we find the period to be

 4π 2  3 4π 2 (4.20 ×107 m)3

T
=  =r = 2.15 × 104 s .
 GM  (6.67 ×10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(9.50 ×1025 kg)

(b) The speed is constant (before she fires the thrusters), so

2π r 2π (4.20 ×107 m)
v0
= = = 1.23 ×104 m/s .
T 2.15 ×104 s

(c) A two percent reduction in the previous value gives

0.98(1.23 × 104 m/s) =

0.98v0 =
v= 1.20 × 104 m/s .

1 1
(d) The kinetic energy is K = mv 2 = 2.17 × 1011 J .
(3000 kg)(1.20 × 104 m/s) 2 =
2 2

(e) Immediately after the firing, the potential energy is the same as it was before firing the thruster:

GMm (6.67 × 10− 11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(9.50 × 1025 kg)(3000 kg)

U=
− =
− 7
− 4.53 × 1011 J .
=
r 4.20 × 10 m

(f) Adding these two results gives the total mechanical energy:

E =K + U =2.17 × 1011 J + (− 4.53 × 1011 J) =− 2.35 × 1011 J .

(g) Using Eq. 13-42, we find the semi-major axis to be

GMm (6.67 ×10− 11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(9.50 × 1025 kg)(3000 kg)

a=
− =
− 11
4.04 × 107 m .
=
2E 2(− 2.35 ×10 J)

(h) Using Kepler’s law of periods for elliptical orbits (using a instead of r) we find the new period
to be
 11 Chapter 13

 4π 2  3 4π 2 (4.04 ×107 m)3

T′
=  =a = 2.03 × 104 s .
 GM  (6.67 ×10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(9.50 ×1025 kg)

This is smaller than our result for part (a) by T − T´ = 1.22 × 103 s.

(i) Comparing the results in (a) and (h), we see that elliptical orbit has a smaller period.

LEARN The orbits of the shuttle before and after firing the thruster are shown below. Point P
corresponds to the location where the thruster was fired.

23. The gravitational forces on m5 from the two 6.00 g masses m1 and m4 cancel each other.
Contributions to the net force on m5 come from the remaining two masses:

Fnet =
( 6.67 ×10 −11
N ⋅ m 2 / kg 2 )( 2.50 ×10−3 kg )( 3.00 ×10−3 kg − 2.00 ×10−3 kg )

( )
2
2 ×10−1 m
= 8.337 ×10−15 N.

The force is directed along the diagonal between m2 and m3, toward m2. In unit-vector notation,
we have

F=net Fnet (cos 45°ˆi + sin 45=
°ˆj) (5.90 ×10−15 N) ˆi + (5.90 ×10−15 N) ˆj .

24. Energy conservation for this situation may be expressed as follows:

1 2 GmM 1 2 GmM
K1 + U1 = K 2 + U 2 ⇒ mv1 − = mv2 −
2 r1 2 r2
 12 Chapter 13

where M = 5.98 × 1024 kg, r1 = R = 6.37 × 106, m and v1 = 10000 m/s. Setting v2 = 0 to find the
maximum of its trajectory, we solve the above equation (noting that m cancels in the process) and
obtain r2 = 3.2 × 107 m. This implies that its altitude is

h = r2 − R = 2.5 × 107 m.

25. (a) We are told the value of the force when particle C is removed (that is, as its position x goes
to infinity), which is a situation in which any force caused by C vanishes (because Eq. 13-1 has r2
in the denominator). Thus, this situation only involves the force exerted by A on B:

GmA mB
Fnet,
= x F=
AB 2
= 4.17 × 10−10 N .
rAB

Since mB = 1.0 kg and rAB = 0.60 m , then this yields

2
rAB FAB (0.60 m) 2 (4.17 ×10−10 N)
mA
= = = 2.25 kg .
GmB (6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(1.0 kg)

(b) We note (from the graph) that the net force on B is zero when x = 0.40 m. Thus, at that point,
the force exerted by C must have the same magnitude (but opposite direction) as the force exerted
by A (which is the one discussed in part (a)). Therefore

GmC mB
= 4.17 × 10−10 N ⇒ mC = 1.00 kg.
(0.40 m) 2

26. (a) The gravitational acceleration ag is defined in Eq. 13-11. The problem is concerned with
the difference between ag evaluated at r = 40Rh and ag evaluated at r = 40Rh + h (where h is the
estimate of your height). Assuming h is much smaller than 40Rh then we can approximate h as the
dr that is present when we consider the differential of Eq. 13-11:

2GM 2GM 2GM

|dag| = r3 dr ≈ 403 R 3 h = 403 (2GM / c 2 )3 h.
h

If we approximate |dag| = 10 m/s2 and h ≈ 1.5 m, we can solve this for M. Giving our results in
terms of the Sun’s mass means dividing our result for M by 2 × 1030 kg, we find that the critical
mass is 155 solar masses, which rounded off is 2 ×102 solar masses.

(b) Interestingly, this turns out to be lower limit (which will surprise many students) since the
above expression shows |dag| is inversely proportional to M. It should perhaps be emphasized that
a distance of 40Rh from a small black hole is much smaller than a distance of 40Rh from a large
black hole.
 13 Chapter 13

27. (a) The energy required to raise a satellite of mass m to an altitude h (at rest) is given by

 1 1 
E1 =∆U =GM E m  − ,
 RE RE + h 

and the energy required to put it in circular orbit once it is there is

1 2 GM E m
=E2 = mvorb .
2 2 ( RE + h )

We want E1 = 1.5E2, which gives us

0.75(6.37 ×106 m) =
0.75 RE =
r= 4.78 ×103 km.

(b) For greater height h > h0 , ∆E > 0, implying E1 > E2 . Thus, the energy of lifting is greater.

28. (a) It is possible to use v 2 = v02 + 2a ∆ y as we did for free-fall problems in Chapter 2 because
the acceleration can be considered approximately constant over this interval. However, our
approach will not assume constant acceleration; we use energy conservation:

1 2 GMm 1 2 GMm 2GM (r0 − r )

mv0 − = mv − v
⇒ =
2 r0 2 r r0 r

which yields v = 1.4 × 106 m/s.

(b) We estimate the height of the apple to be h = 7 cm = 0.07 m. We may find the answer by
evaluating Eq. 13-11 at the surface (radius r in part (a)) and at radius r + h, being careful not to
round off, and then taking the difference of the two values, or we may take the differential of that
equation — setting dr equal to h. We illustrate the latter procedure:

GM GM
| dag | = 3 × 106 m/s 2 .
−2 3 dr ≈ 2 3 h =
r r

29. (a) Since the volume of a sphere is 4πR3/3, the density is

M total 3M total
=ρ = .
4
3π R 3 4π R 3
 14 Chapter 13

When we test for gravitational acceleration (caused by the sphere, or by parts of it) at radius r
(measured from the center of the sphere), the mass M, which is at radius less than r, is what
contributes to the reading (GM/r2). Since M = ρ(4πr3/3) for r ≤ R, then we can write this result as

 3M total   4π r 
3
G 3  
 4π R   3  GM total r
=
r2 R3

when we are considering points on or inside the sphere. Thus, the value ag referred to in the
problem is the case where r = R:
GM total
ag = ,
R2

and we solve for the case where the acceleration equals ag/4:

GM total GM total r R
= 2 3
⇒
= r .
4R R 4

(b) Now we treat the case of an external test point. For points with r > R the acceleration is
GMtotal/r2, so the requirement that it equal ag/4 leads to

GM total GM total
= ⇒=r 2 R.
4R2 r2

30. The gravitational acceleration at a distance r from the center of Earth is

GM
ag =
r2
Thus, the weight difference between the two objects is

GMm GMm GMm GMm 2h 2GMmh

∆w= m( g − ag =
) 2
− =
2 2
1 − (1 + h / R) −2  ≈ ⋅ =
R ( R + h) R R2 R R3

With M = 43 π R 3 ρ , the above expression can be rewritten as

2GMmh 2Gmh  4π 3  8πρ Gmh

∆w
= = ⋅ R=ρ
R3 R3  3  3

Substituting the values given, we obtain

8πρ Gmh 8π
∆w
= = (5.5 ×103 kg/m3 )(6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(2.00 kg)(0.050 m)
3 3
−7
= 3.07 ×10 N
 15 Chapter 13

31. (a) From Eq. 13-28, we see that v0 = GM / 2 RE in this problem. Using energy conservation,
we have
1 2
2 mv0 – GMm/RE = – GMm/r

which yields r = 9RE/8. So the multiple of RE is 9/8 or 1.13.

(b) Using the equation in the textbook immediately preceding Eq. 13-28, we see that in this
problem we have Ki = GMm/3RE, and the above manipulation (using energy conservation) in this
case leads to r = 1.50RE. So the multiple of RE is 1.50.

(c) Again referring to the equation in the textbook immediately preceding Eq. 13-28, we see that
the mechanical energy = 0 for the “escape condition.”

32. The magnitudes of the individual forces (acting on mC, exerted by mA and mB, respectively) are

GmA mC GmB mC
FAC ==2
2.7 × 10−8 N and FBC ==2
3.6 × 10−8 N
rAC rBC

where rAC = 0.20 m and rBC = 0.15 m. With rAB = 0.25 m, the angle FA makes with the x axis can
be obtained as
−1  rAC + rAB − rBC 
2 2 2
θA =π + cos  =π + cos −1 (0.80) = 217°.
 2rAC rAB 

Similarly, the angle FB makes with the x axis can be obtained as

 rAB
2 2
+ rBC 2
− rAC 
θB =− cos −1  =− cos −1 (0.60) =−53°.
 2rAB rBC 

The net force acting on mC then becomes


F
=C FAC (cos θ A ˆi + sin θ A ˆj) + FBC (cos θ B ˆi + sin θ B ˆj)
= ( FAC cos θ A + FBC cos θ B )iˆ + ( FAC sin θ A + FBC sin θ B )jˆ
= (−4.4 ×10−8 N)ˆj.

33. From Eq. 13-14, we see the extreme case is when “g” becomes zero, and plugging in Eq. 13-
15 leads to
GM R 3ω 2
0 = 2 − Rω ⇒ M =
2
.
R G
 16 Chapter 13

Thus, with R = 20000 m and ω = 4.6π rad/s, we find M = 2.5 × 1025 kg.

34. The initial distance from each fixed sphere to the ball is r0 = ∞, which implies the initial
gravitational potential energy is zero. The distance from each fixed sphere to the ball when it is at
x = 0.30 m is r = 0.50 m, by the Pythagorean theorem.

(a) With M = 20 kg and m = 10 kg, energy conservation leads to

GmM
Ki + U i = K + U ⇒ 0 + 0 = K − 2
r

which yields K = 2GmM/r = 5.3 × 10−8 J.

(b) Since the y-component of each force will cancel, the net force points in the –x direction, with
a magnitude

2Fx = 2 (GmM/r2) cos θ ,


where θ = tan−1 (4/3) = 53°. Thus, the result is Fnet =− ˆ
( 6.4 ×10−8 N)i.

35. Using F = GmM/r2, we find that the topmost mass pulls upward on the one at the origin with
5.105 × 10−8 N, and the rightmost mass pulls rightward on the one at the origin with 2.871 × 10−8
N. Thus, the (x, y) components of the net force, which can be converted to polar components (here
we use magnitude-angle notation), are

Fnet= ( 2.871×10 −8
, 5.105 ×10−8 ) ⇒ ( 5.86 ×10−8 ∠ 60.6° ) .

(a) The magnitude of the force is 5.86 × 10−8 N.

(b) The direction of the force relative to the +x axis is 60.6° .

36. We apply the work-energy theorem to the object in question. It starts from a point at the surface
of the Earth with zero initial speed and arrives at the center of the Earth with final speed vf. The
corresponding increase in its kinetic energy, ½mvf2, is equal to the work done on it by Earth’s
gravity: ∫ F dr= ∫ (− Kr )dr . Thus,

1 2 0 0 1
2 ∫
mv f =
R ∫
F dr =
R
(− Kr ) dr =KR 2
2

where R is the radius of Earth. Solving for the final speed, we obtain vf = R K / m . We note that
the acceleration of gravity ag = g = 9.8 m/s2 on the surface of Earth is given by
 17 Chapter 13

ag = GM/R2 = G(4πR3/3)ρ/R2,

where ρ is Earth’s average density. This permits us to write K/m = 4πGρ/3 = g/R. Consequently,

K g
vf =
R R
= =gR =(9.8 m/s 2 ) (6.37 × 106 m) =
7.9 × 103 m/s .
m R

37. Since the rod is an extended object, we cannot apply Equation 13-1 directly to find the force.
Instead, we consider a small differential element of the rod, of mass dm of thickness dr at a
distance r from m1 . The gravitational force between dm and m1 is

Gm1dm Gm1 ( M / L)dr

=dF = ,
r2 r2

where we have substituted dm = ( M / L)dr

since mass is uniformly distributed. The

direction of dF is to the right (see figure). The
total force can be found by integrating over the
entire length of the rod:

Gm M L+d dr Gm1M  1 1  Gm M
∫ dF =L1
F= ∫d r 2
=
−  − = 1
L  L + d d  d (L + d )
.

Substituting the values given in the problem statement, we obtain

Gm1M (6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(1.42 kg)(6.9 kg)

F
= = = 1.6 ×10−9 N.
d (L + d ) (0.13 m)(3.0 m + 0.13 m)

38. We estimate the planet to have radius r = 10 m. To estimate the mass m of the planet, we
require its density equal that of Earth (and use the fact that the volume of a sphere is 4πr3/3):
3
m ME  r 
=3 3
⇒
= m ME  
4πr / 3 4πRE / 3  RE 

which yields (with ME ≈ 6 × 1024 kg and RE ≈ 6.4 × 106 m) m = 2.3 × 107 kg.

(a) With the above assumptions, the acceleration due to gravity is

ag =
Gm
=
( 6.7 ×10 −11
m3 /s 2 ⋅ kg )( 2.3 ×107 kg )
= 1.5 ×10−5 m s 2 ≈ 2 ×10−5 m s 2 .
r2 (10 m) 2
 18 Chapter 13

2Gm
(b) Equation 13-28 gives the escape speed:
= v ≈ 0.02 m/s .
r

39. (a) Circular motion requires that the force in Newton’s second law provide the necessary
centripetal acceleration:
GmM v2
= m .
r2 r

Since the left-hand side of this equation is the force given as 80 N, then we can solve for the
combination mv2 by multiplying both sides by r = 2.0 × 107 m. Thus, mv2 = (2.0 × 107 m) (100 N)
= 2.0 × 109 J. Therefore,

1 1
K =mv 2 = ( 2.0 × 109 J ) =
1.0 × 109 J .
2 2

(b) Since the gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the radius, then

2
F′  r 
=  .
F  r′ 

Thus, F´ = (100 N) (2/3)2 = 44 N.

40. THINK In a two-star system, the stars rotate about their common center of mass.

EXPRESS The situation is depicted on the right. The

gravitational force between the two stars (each having
a mass M) is
GM 2 GM 2
= Fg =
(2r ) 2 4r 2

The gravitational force between the stars provides the

centripetal force necessary to keep their orbits circular.
Thus, writing the centripetal acceleration as rω2 where ω is the angular speed, we have

GM 2
Fg =⇒
Fc Mrω 2 .
=
4r 2

ANALYZE (a) Substituting the values given, we find the common angular speed to be
 19 Chapter 13

1 GM 1 (6.67 ×10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(6.0 ×1030 kg)

ω
= 3
= 11 3
= 3.2 ×10−7 rad/s.
2 r 2 (1.0 ×10 m)

(b) To barely escape means to have total energy equal to zero (see discussion prior to Eq. 13-28).
If m is the mass of the meteoroid, then

1 2 GmM GmM 4GM

mv − − 0 ⇒ v=
= 1.3 ×105 m / s .
=
2 r r r

LEARN Comparing with Eq. 13-28, we see that the escape speed of the two-star system is the
same as that of a star with mass 2M.

41. (a) The pellets will have the same speed v but opposite direction of motion, so the relative
speed between the pellets and satellite is 2v. Replacing v with 2v in Eq. 13-38 is equivalent to
multiplying it by a factor of 4. Thus,

 GM E m  2(6.67 × 10 m / kg ⋅ s ) ( 5.98 × 10 kg ) ( 0.0040 kg )

−11 3 2 24

=K rel 4=
 
 2r  (6370 + 700) × 103 m
= 4.5 × 105 J.

(b) We set up the ratio of kinetic energies:

K rel 4.5 × 105 J

= = 3.5 × 102.
( 0.0040 kg )(800 m/s )
2
K bullet 1
2

42. (a) From Chapter 2, we have v 2 = v02 + 2a∆x , where a may be interpreted as an average
acceleration in cases where the acceleration is not uniform. With v0 = 0, v = 11000 m/s, and ∆x =
220 m, we find a = 2.75 × 105 m/s2. Therefore,

 2.75 × 105 m/s 2 

a 
= 2 =g 2.8 × 104 g .
 9.8 m/s 

(b) The acceleration is certainly deadly enough to kill the passengers.

(c) Again using v 2 = v02 + 2a∆x , we find

(7000 m/s) 2
=a = 7000 m/s 2 714 g .
=
2(3500 m)
 20 Chapter 13

(d) Energy conservation gives the craft’s speed v (in the absence of friction and other dissipative
effects) at altitude h = 700 km after being launched from R = 6.37 × 106 m (the surface of Earth)
with speed v0 = 7000 m/s. That altitude corresponds to a distance from Earth’s center of r = R + h
= 7.07 × 106 m.

1 2 GMm 1 2 GMm
mv0 − = mv − .
2 R 2 r

With M = 5.98 × 1024 kg (the mass of Earth) we find v = 6.05 × 103 m/s. However, to orbit at that
radius requires (by Eq. 13-37)

v´ = GM / r = 7.51 × 103 m/s.

The difference between these two speeds is v´ − v = 1.46 × 103 m/s ≈ 1.5 ×103 m/s, which
presumably is accounted for by the action of the rocket engine.

GM
43. (a) The gravitational acceleration is ag = = 3.8 m/s 2 .
R2

G ( 5M )
(b) Note that the total mass is 5M. Thus, ag = = 2.1 m/s 2 .
( 3R )
2

44. We note that rA (the distance from the origin to sphere A, which is the same as the separation

between A and B) is 0.5, rC = 0.8, and rD = 0.4 (with SI units understood). The force Fk that the
kth sphere exerts on mB has magnitude Gmk mB / rk2 and is directed from the origin toward mk so
that it is conveniently written as

 Gmk mB  xk
Fk = ˆ yk ˆj  = Gmk mB x ˆi + y ˆj .
( )
2  i+  k k
rk  rk rk  rk3

Consequently, the vector addition (where k equals A, B, and D) to obtain the net force on mB
becomes
   m x   m y  
Fnet = ∑ Fk =GmB   ∑ k 3 k  ˆi +  ∑ k 3 k  ˆj  = ˆ
(3.7 ×10−5 N)j.
k   k rk   k rk  

45. We define the “effective gravity” in his environment as geff = 220/80 = 2.75 m/s2. Thus, using
equations from Chapter 2 (and selecting downward as the positive direction), we find the “fall-
time” to be
1 2(2.1 m)
∆y= v0t + g eff t 2 ⇒ t= = 1.2 s.
2 2.75 m/s 2
 21 Chapter 13

46. (a) Their initial potential energy is −Gm2/Ri and they started from rest, so energy conservation
leads to
Gm 2 Gm 2 Gm 2
− = K total − ⇒ K total = .
Ri 0.5 R i Ri

(b) They have equal mass, and this is being viewed in the center-of-mass frame, so their speeds
are identical and their kinetic energies are the same. Thus,

1 Gm 2
=K = K total .
2 2Ri

(c) With K = ½ mv2, we solve the above equation and find v = Gm / Ri .

(d) Their relative speed is 2v = 2 Gm / Ri . This is the (instantaneous) rate at which the gap
between them is closing.

(e) The premise of this part is that we assume we are not moving (that is, that body A acquires no
kinetic energy in the process). Thus, Ktotal = KB, and the logic of part (a) leads to KB = Gm2/Ri.

(f) And 1
2 mvB2 = K B yields vB = 2Gm / Ri .

(g) The answer to part (f) is incorrect, due to having ignored the accelerated motion of “our” frame
(that of body A). Our computations were therefore carried out in a noninertial frame of reference,
for which the energy equations of Chapter 8 are not directly applicable.

47. (a) Plugging Rh = 2GMh /c2 into the indicated expression, we find

GM h GM h c4 1
ag = = =
(1.001Rh ) ( 2GM ) ( 2.002 ) G M h
2 2 2 2
(1.001)
2
h /c

which yields ag = (3.02 × 1043 kg·m/s2) /Mh.

(b) Since Mh is in the denominator of the above result, ag decreases as Mh increases.

(c) With Mh = (2.00 × 1012) (1.99 × 1030 kg), we obtain ag = 4.36 m/s2.

(d) This part refers specifically to the very large black hole treated in the previous part. With that
mass for M in Eq. 13-16, and r = 2.002GM/c2, we obtain
 22 Chapter 13

GM 2c 6
dag = −2 dr = − dr
( 2.002GM/c ) ( 2.002 ) ( GM )
2 3 3 2

where dr → 1.70 m as in Sample Problem 13.2 – “Difference in acceleration at head and feet.”
This yields (in absolute value) an acceleration difference of 7.30 × 10−15 m/s2.

(e) The miniscule result of the previous part implies that, in this case, any effects due to the
differences of gravitational forces on the body are negligible.

48. If the angular velocity were any greater, loose objects on the surface would not go around with
the planet but would travel out into space.

(a) The magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by the planet on an object of mass m at its
surface is given by F = GmM / R2, where M is the mass of the planet and R is its radius. According
to Newton’s second law this must equal mv2 / R, where v is the speed of the object. Thus,

GM v 2
= .
R2 R

With M = 4πρ R 3 / 3 where ρ is the density of the planet, and v = 2π R / T , where T is the period
of revolution, we find
4π 4π 2 R
Gρ R = .
3 T2
We solve for T and obtain

3π
T= .
Gρ

(b) The density is 3.0 × 103 kg/m3. We evaluate the equation for T:

3π
T= = 6.86 ×103 = 1.9 h.
( 6.67 ×10 m / s ⋅ kg )( 3.0 ×10 kg / m )
−11 3 2 3 3

1
49. (a) Using Eq. 13-1, we set GmM/r2 equal to 2 GmM/R2, and we find r = R 3 . Thus, the

distance from the surface is ( 3 – 1)R = 0.732R.

4
(b) Setting the density ρ equal to M/V where V = 3 πR3, we use Eq. 13-19:
 23 Chapter 13

4π Gmr ρ 4π Gmr  M  GMmr 1 GMm

F
= =  =  = r R / 3.
⇒=
3 3  4π R 3 / 3  R3 2 R2

50. The key point here is that angular momentum is conserved:

Ipωp = Iaωa

which leads to ω p = (ra / rp ) 2 ωa , but rp = 2a – ra where a is determined by Eq. 13-34 (particularly,

see the paragraph after that equation in the textbook). Therefore,

ra2 ωa
ωp = = 9.24 × 10−5 rad/s .
(2(GMT 2/4π2)1/3 – ra)2

51. (a) The initial gravitational potential energy is

GM A M B (6.67 × 10−11 m3 /s 2 ⋅ kg) (20 kg) (15 kg)

Ui =
− =
−
ri 0.60 m
− 3.3 × 10−8 J.
=

(b) We use conservation of energy (with Ki = 0):

(6.67 × 10−11 m3 /s 2 ⋅ kg) (20 kg) (15 kg)

Ui = K +U ⇒ − 1.7 × 10−8 = K −
0.40 m

which yields K = 1.7 × 10−9 J. Note that the value of r is the difference between 0.60 m and 0.20
m.

52. We note that, since v = 2πr/T, the centripetal acceleration may be written as a = 4π2r/T2. To
express the result in terms of g, we divide by 9.8 m/s2.

(a) The acceleration associated with Earth’s spin (T = 24 h = 86400 s) is

4π 2 (6.37 × 106 m)
a g
= = 3.4 ×10−3 g .
(86400s) 2 (9.8 m/s 2 )

(b) The acceleration associated with Earth’s motion around the Sun (T = 1 y = 3.156 × 107 s) is

4π 2 (1.5 × 1011 m)
a g
= 7 2
= 6.1×10−4 g .
2
(3.156 × 10 s) (9.8 m/s )

(c) The acceleration associated with the Solar System’s motion around the galactic center (T = 2.5
× 108 y = 7.9 × 1015 s) is
 24 Chapter 13

4π 2 (2.2 × 1020 m)
a g
= 15 2
=
2
1.4 × 10−11 g .
(7.9 × 10 s) (9.8 m/s )

53. From Kepler’s law of periods (where T = (2.4 h)(3600 s/h) = 8640 s), we find the planet’s mass
M:
 4π 2 
(8640s) 2 =  6 3 24
 (9.0 ×10 m) ⇒ M = 5.78 × 10 kg.
 GM 

However, we also know ag = GM/R2 = 8.0 m/s2 so that we are able to solve for the planet’s radius:

GM (6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(5.78 ×1024 kg)

R
= = 2
= 6.9 × 106 m.
ag 8.0 m/s

54. We use m1 for the 20 kg of the sphere at (x1, y1) = (0.5, 1.0) (SI units understood), m2 for the
40 kg of the sphere at (x2, y2) = (−1.0, −1.0), and m3 for the 60 kg of the sphere at (x3, y3) = (0,
−0.5). The mass of the 20 kg object at the origin is simply denoted m. We note that

=r1 = 1.25, r2 2 , and r3 = 0.5 (again, with SI units understood). The force Fn that the nth sphere
exerts on m has magnitude Gmn m / rn2 and is directed from the origin toward mn, so that it is
conveniently written as

 Gmn m  xn
Fn = ˆ yn ˆj  = Gmn m x ˆi + y ˆj .
( )
2  i+  n n
rn  rn rn  rn3

Consequently, the vector addition to obtain the net force on m becomes

 3   3 m x   3 m y ˆ
Fnet = ∑ Fn =Gm   ∑ n3 n  ˆi +  ∑ n 3 n ( 9.3 ×10−9 N)iˆ − (3.2 ×10−7 N)jˆ .
 j  =−
n =1 = rn   n 1 rn
  n 1=  

Therefore, we find the net force magnitude is Fnet= 3.2 ×10−7 N .

55. THINK The two neutron stars are attracted toward each other due to their gravitational
interaction.

EXPRESS The momentum of the two-star system is conserved, and since the stars have the same
mass, their speeds and kinetic energies are the same. We use the principle of conservation of energy.
The initial potential energy is Ui = −GM2/ri, where M is the mass of either star and ri is their initial
center-to-center separation. The initial kinetic energy is zero since the stars are at rest. The final
potential energy is U f = −GM 2 / rf , where the final separation is rf = ri / 2 . We write Mv2 for the
 25 Chapter 13

final kinetic energy of the system. This is the sum of two terms, each of which is ½Mv2.
Conservation of energy yields

GM 2 2GM 2
− =
− + Mv 2 .
ri ri

ANALYZE (a) The solution for v is

GM (6.67 × 10−11 m3 / s 2 ⋅ kg) (2.0 ×1030 kg)

v
= = = 1.2 × 105 m/s.
ri 1010 m

(b) Now the final separation of the centers is rf = 2R = 2 × 105 m, where R is the radius of either
of the stars. The final potential energy is given by Uf = −GM2/rf and the energy equation becomes

−GM2/ri = −GM2/rf + Mv2.

The solution for v is

1 1  1 1 
v
= GM  − =  (6.67 × 10−11 m3 / s 2 ⋅ kg) (2 ×1030 kg)  − 10 
r ri  5
 2 × 10 m 10 m 
 f
= 2.6 × 107 m/s.

56. THINK We apply Newton’s law of gravitation to calculate the force between the meteor and
the satellite.

EXPRESS We use F = Gmsmm/r2, where ms is the mass of the satellite, mm is the mass of the
meteor, and r is the distance between their centers. The distance between centers is r = R + d = 15
m + 3 m = 18 m. Here R is the radius of the satellite and d is the distance from its surface to the
center of the meteor.

ANALYZE The gravitational force between the meteor and the satellite is

F
=
Gms ms
=
( 6.67 ×10 −11
N ⋅ m 2 / kg 2 ) ( 20 kg )(14 kg )
= 5.8 ×10−11 N.
(18 m )
2
r2

LEARN The force of gravitation is inversely proportional to r 2 .

57. The equation immediately preceding Eq. 13-28 shows that K = –U (with U evaluated at the
planet’s surface: –5.0 × 109 J) is required to “escape.” Thus, K = 5.0 × 109 J and
K = 12 (50 kg)v 2 yields v = 1.4 ×104 m/s.
 26 Chapter 13

58. The period T and orbit radius r are related by the law of periods: T2 = (4π2/GM)r3, where M (=
6.39 ×1023 kg ) is the mass of Mars. The period is 9.5 h. We have

1/3
 GMT 2 
r 
= 2 
= 1.1×107 m.
 4π 

59. THINK The escape speed on the asteroid is related to the gravitational acceleration at the
surface of the asteroid and its size.

EXPRESS We use the principle of conservation of energy. Initially the particle is at the surface
of the asteroid and has potential energy Ui = −GMm/R, where M is the mass of the asteroid, R is
its radius, and m is the mass of the particle being fired upward. The initial kinetic energy is 1 2 mv 2 .
The particle just escapes if its kinetic energy is zero when it is infinitely far from the asteroid. The
final potential and kinetic energies are both zero. Conservation of energy yields
−GMm/R + ½mv2 = 0.

We replace GM/R with agR, where ag is the acceleration due to gravity at the surface. Then, the
energy equation becomes −agR + ½v2 = 0. Solving for v, we have

v = 2a g R .

ANALYZE (a) Given that R = 750 km and ag = 3.0 m/s 2 , we find the escape speed to be

v=2a g R =2(3.0 m/s 2 ) (750 × 103 m) =

2.1 × 103 m/s.

(b) Initially the particle is at the surface; the potential energy is Ui = −GMm/R and the kinetic
energy is Ki = ½mv2. Suppose the particle is a distance h above the surface when it momentarily
comes to rest. The final potential energy is Uf = −GMm/(R + h) and the final kinetic energy is Kf
= 0. Conservation of energy yields

GMm 1 2 GMm
− + mv =
− .
R 2 R+h

We replace GM with agR2 and cancel m in the energy equation to obtain

1 2 ag R 2
− ag R + v =− .
2 ( R + h)
The solution for h is
 27 Chapter 13

2a g R 2 2(3.0 m/s 2 ) (750 × 103 m) 2

=h = − R − (750 × 103 m)
2a g R − v 2 2(3.0 m/s 2 ) (750 × 103 m) − (1000 m/s) 2
= 2.1 × 105 m.

(c) Initially the particle is a distance h above the surface and is at rest. Its potential energy is Ui =
−GMm/(R + h) and its initial kinetic energy is Ki = 0. Just before it hits the asteroid its potential
energy is Uf = −GMm/R. Write 1 2 mv 2f for the final kinetic energy. Conservation of energy yields

GMm GMm 1 2
− =
− + mv .
R+h R 2

We substitute agR2 for GM and cancel m, obtaining

ag R 2 1 2
− − ag R +
= v .
R+h 2
The solution for v is

2a g R 2 2(3.0 m/s 2 )(750 × 103 m) 2

v = 2a g R − = 2(3.0 m/s 2 ) (750 × 103 m) −
R+h (750 × 103 m) + (800 × 103 m)
3
= 1.5 × 10 m/s.

LEARN The key idea in this problem is to realize that energy is conserved in the process:

Ki + U
=i K f + U f = 0.
⇒ ∆K + ∆U

The decrease in potential energy is equal to the gain in kinetic energy, and vice versa.

GM
60. (a) With M
= 2.0 ×1030 kg and r = 10000 m, we find a=
g = 1.3 × 1012 m/s 2 .
r2

(b) Although a close answer may be gotten by using the constant acceleration equations of Chapter
2, we show the more general approach (using energy conservation):

Ko + U o =K + U

where Ko = 0, K = ½mv2, and U is given by Eq. 13-21. Thus, with ro = 10002 m, we find

1 1 
v = 2GM  −  = 2.3 × 106 m / s .
 r ro 
 28 Chapter 13

61. THINK To compare the kinetic energy, potential energy, and the speed of the Earth at aphelion
(farthest distance) and perihelion (closest distance), we apply both conservation of energy and
conservation of angular momentum.

EXPRESS As Earth orbits about the Sun, its total energy is conserved:

1 2 GM S M E 1 2 GM S M E
mva − =mv p − .
2 Ra 2 Rp

In addition, angular momentum conservation implies va Ra = v p R p .

ANALYZE (a) The total energy is conserved, so there is no difference between its values at
aphelion and perihelion.

(b) The difference in potential energy is

 1 1 
∆U =
Ua −U p =−GM S M E  −
 R R 
 a p 

 1 1 
= −(6.67 ×10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(1.99 × 1030 kg)(5.98 × 1024 kg)  11
− 11 
 1.52 ×10 m 1.47 ×10 m 
≈ 1.8 ×1032 J.

(c) Since ∆ K + ∆ U = 0 , ∆K = K a − K p = −∆U ≈ −1.8 ×1032 J .

(d) With va Ra = v p R p , the change in kinetic energy may be written as

1 1  R2 
∆K = K a − K p = M E ( va2 − v 2p ) = M E va2 1 − a2 
2 2  R 
 p 

from which we find the speed at the aphelion to be

2(∆K )
va
= = 2.95 ×104 m/s .
M E (1 − Ra2 / R p2 )

Thus, the variation in speed is

 R   1.52 ×1011 m  4
∆ v = va − v p = 1 − a  va = 1 −  (2.95 ×10 m/s)
 R   1.47 × 1011
m 
 p 
3
= − 0.99 ×10 m/s = − 0.99 km/s.

The speed at the aphelion is smaller than that at the perihelion.

 29 Chapter 13

LEARN Since the changes are small, the problem could also be solved by using differentials:

 GM E M S  ( 6.67 ×10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(1.99 × 1030 kg )( 5.98 × 1024 kg )

dU =
  dr ≈ ( 5 × 109 m ) .
(1.5 × 1011 m )
2 2
 r 

This yields ∆U ≈ 1.8 × 1032 J. Similarly, with ∆K ≈ dK = MEv dv, where v ≈ 2πR/T, we have

 2π (1.5 × 1011 m ) 
1.8 × 10 J ≈ ( 5.98 × 10 kg ) 
32 24
 ∆v
 3.156 × 107 s 
 

which yields a difference of ∆v ≈ 0.99 km/s in Earth’s speed (relative to the Sun) between aphelion
and perihelion.

62. The difference between free-fall acceleration g and the gravitational acceleration ag at the
equator of the star is (see Equation 13.14):

ω2R
ag − g =

where

2π 2π
ω
= = = 153rad/s
T 0.041 s

is the angular speed of the star. The gravitational acceleration at the equator is

GM (6.67 ×10−11 m3 /kg ⋅ s 2 )(1.98 ×1030 kg)

ag
= =2 4 2
= 9.17 ×1011 m/s 2 .
R (1.2 ×10 m)

Therefore, the percentage difference is

ag − g ω2R (153rad/s) 2 (1.2 ×104 m)

= = 11 2
= 3.06 ×10−4 ≈ 0.031%.
ag ag 9.17 ×10 m/s

63. (a) We note that rC (the distance from the origin to sphere C, which is the same as the separation
between C and B) is 0.8, rD = 0.4, and the separation between spheres C and D is rCD = 1.2 (with
SI units understood). The total potential energy is therefore

GM B M C GM B M D GM C M D
− 2
− 2
− 2
= −1.3 ×10−4 J
rC rD rCD
 30 Chapter 13

using the mass-values given in the previous problem.

(b) Since any gravitational potential energy term (of the sort considered in this chapter) is
necessarily negative (−GmM/r2 where all variables are positive) then having another mass to
include in the computation can only lower the result (that is, make the result more negative).

(c) The observation in the previous part implies that the work I do in removing sphere A (to obtain
the case considered in part (a)) must lead to an increase in the system energy; thus, I do positive
work.

(d) To put sphere A back in, I do negative work, since I am causing the system energy to become
more negative.

64. THINK Since the orbit is circular, the net gravitational force on the smaller star is equal to the
centripetal force.

EXPRESS The magnitude of the net gravitational force on one of the smaller stars (of mass m)
is
GMm Gmm Gm  m
F= 2 + = 2  M + .
( 2r )
2
r r  4

This supplies the centripetal force needed for the motion of the star:

Gm  m v2
M +  =
m
r2  4 r

where v = 2π r / T . Combining the two expressions allows us to solve for T.

ANALYZE Plugging in for speed v, we arrive at an equation for the period T:

2π r 3 2
T = .
G ( M + m / 4)
2π r 3 2
LEARN In the limit where m  M , we recover the expected result T = for two bodies.
GM

65. (a) All points on the ring are the same distance (r = x2 + R2 ) from the particle, so the
gravitational potential energy is simply U = –GMm/ x2 + R2 , from Eq. 13-21. The corresponding
force (by symmetry) is expected to be along the x axis, so we take a (negative) derivative of U
(with respect to x) to obtain it (see Eq. 8-20). The result for the magnitude of the force is GMmx(x2
+ R2)−3/2.

(b) Using our expression for U, the change in potential energy as the particle falls to the center is
 31 Chapter 13

1 1 
∆U =−GMm  − 
R
2 2
x +R 

By conservation of mechanical energy, this must “turn into” kinetic energy, ∆K = −∆U = mv 2 / 2 .
We solve for the speed and obtain

1 2 1 1  1 1 
=mv GMm  −  ⇒
= v 2GM  − .
2  R x 2
+ R 2
 R x2 + R2 

66. Using energy conservation (and Eq. 13-21) we have

GMm GMm
K1 – r1 = K 2–
r2 .

(a) Plugging in two pairs of values (for (K1 , r1) and (K2 , r2)) from the graph and using the value
of G and M (for Earth) given in the book, we find m ≈ 1.0 × 103 kg.

1/2
(b) Similarly, v = (2K/m) ≈ 1.5 × 103 m/s (at r = 1.945 × 107 m).