Problem 6. Rings around the moon The mass of the Earth is 5.97 × 1024 kg. Our moon has a mass of 7.35 x 1022 kg and a radius of 1.74 × 106 m. (a) At what point directly between the centers of the Earth and the moon will a small body experience zero net gravitational force due to these two bodies? (b) A spacecraft is maintaining a circular orbit around the moon, near its surface. How much more mechanical energy per unit mass of the spacecraft must it gain in order to reach the point in (a)?

Problem 6. Rings around the moon The mass of the Earth is 5.97 × 1024 kg. Our moon has a mass of 7.35 x 1022 kg and a radius of 1.74 × 106 m. (a) At what point directly between the centers of the Earth and the moon will a small body experience zero net gravitational force due to these two bodies? (b) A spacecraft is maintaining a circular orbit around the moon, near its surface. How much more mechanical energy per unit mass of the spacecraft must it gain in order to reach the point in (a)?

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections

1st Edition

ISBN:9781133939146

Author:Katz, Debora M.

Publisher:Katz, Debora M.

Chapter7: Gravity

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 17PQ: The mass of the Earth is approximately 5.98 1024 kg, and the mass of the Moon is approximately 7.35...

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