Apc Gravitation Practice

1995M3 Two stars, A and B.
are in circular orbits of radii r a and r b , respectively, about their common center of mass
at point P, as shown above. Each star has the same period of revolution T.
Determine expressions for the following three quantities in terms of r a , r b , T, and fundamental constants.
a. The centripetal acceleration of star A
b. The mass M b of star B
c. The mass M a of star A
Determine expressions for the following two quantities in terms of M a , M b , r a , r b , T, and fundamental
constants.
d. The moment of inertia of the two-star system about its center of mass.
e. The angular momentum of the system about the center of mass.
188
2001M2. An explorer plans a mission to place a satellite into a circular orbit around the planet Jupiter, which has
mass M J = 1.90 × 1027 kg and radius R J = 7.14 × 107 m.
a. If the radius of the planned orbit is R, use Newton's laws to show each of the following.
i. The orbital speed of the planned satellite is given by
GM J
v
R
ii. The period of the orbit is given by
4 2 R3
T
GM J
b. The explorer wants the satellite's orbit to be synchronized with Jupiter's rotation. This requires an equatorial
orbit whose period equals Jupiter's rotation period of 9 hr 51 min = 3.55 × 104 s. Determine the required orbital
radius in meters.
c. Suppose that the injection of the satellite into orbit is less than perfect. For an injection velocity that differs from
the desired value in each of the following ways, sketch the resulting orbit on the figure. (J is the center of
Jupiter, the dashed circle is the desired orbit, and P is the injection point.) Also, describe the resulting orbit
qualitatively but specifically.
i. When the satellite is at the desired altitude over the equator, its velocity vector has the correct direction, but
the speed is slightly faster than the correct speed for a circular orbit of that radius.
ii. When the satellite is at the desired altitude over the equator, its velocity vector has the correct direction, but
the speed is slightly slower than the correct speed for a circular orbit of that radius.
191
2005M2. A student is given the set of orbital data for some of the moons of Saturn shown below and is asked to use
the data to determine the mass M S of Saturn. Assume the orbits of these moons are circular.
a. Write an algebraic expression for the gravitational force between Saturn and one of its moons.
b. Use your expression from part (a) and the assumption of circular orbits to derive an equation for the orbital
period T of a moon as a function of its orbital radius R.
c. Which quantities should be graphed to yield a straight line whose slope could be used to determine Saturn's
mass?
d. Complete the data table by calculating the two quantities to be graphed. Label the top of each column, including
units.
e. Plot the graph on the axes below. Label the axes with the variables used and appropriate numbers to indicate the
scale.
f. Using the graph, calculate a value for the mass of Saturn.
192
2007M2. In March 1999 the Mars Global Surveyor (GS) entered its final orbit about Mars, sending data back to
Earth. Assume a circular orbit with a period of 1.18 × 102 minutes = 7.08 × 103 s and orbital speed of 3.40 × 103
m/s . The mass of the GS is 930 kg and the radius of Mars is 3.43 × 106 m.
a. Calculate the radius of the GS orbit.

b. Calculate the mass of Mars.
c. Calculate the total mechanical energy of the GS in this orbit.
d. If the GS was to be placed in a lower circular orbit (closer to the surface of Mars), would the new orbital period
of the GS be greater than or less than the given period?
_________Greater than _________ Less than

Justify your answer.
e. In fact, the orbit the GS entered was slightly elliptical with its closest approach to Mars at 3.71 × 105 m above
the surface and its furthest distance at 4.36 × 105 m above the surface. If the speed of the GS at closest approach
is 3.40 × 103 m/s, calculate the speed at the furthest point of the orbit.
193

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1995M3 Two stars, A and B.

ii. The period of the orbit is given by

f. Using the graph, calculate a value for the mass of Saturn.

a. Calculate the radius of the GS orbit.

_Greater than _ Less than

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