Calculating Tension in a Hypothetical Moon-Earth System

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the tension in a hypothetical scenario where the moon is held in its orbit by a massless cable attached to the center of the earth instead of gravity. The equations used are F=ma, a=v^2/r, and v=2πr/T. By substituting the given values for period, mass, and mean radius of the moon, the formula F=m((2πr/T)^2)/r) is derived. However, the answer in the back of the book is 2.01x10^20, while the calculated answer is 9.08x10^20. The discrepancy may be due to incorrect input of numbers or incorrect values provided in the book.
  • #1
aracali
5
0

Homework Statement


Suppose the moon were held in its orbit not by gravity but by a massless cable attached to the center of the earth. Find the tension in the cable.

Homework Equations


F=ma
a=v^2/r
v=2πr/T

(since the pictures aren't working, I'm just going to post the url to the image) (http://imgur.com/Ktj98f6 ) All the numbers I used are from the back of the book, shown here. (I used the period, mass and mean radius shown in the image)

The Attempt at a Solution


From all the equations, I figured that the new formula using substitution would be F=m((2πr/T)^2)/r) (http://imgur.com/e7QMdTG )

Now the answer at the back of the book says 2.01x10^20, but I keep getting 9.08x10^20. I've rechecked my math hundreds of times, and I've also tried plugging in the numbers into the original equations one at a time and I keep getting the same answer. So I figured the only thing that is wrong then is the numbers, but the numbers came straight from the book, so they can't be wrong!
 
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  • #2
Why don't you present your math here, step by step? If you also include the constants that you use (there aren't that many!) you can avoid the image links.
 

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Dynamics in two dimensions refers to the study of the motion of objects in a two-dimensional space, taking into account both the magnitude and direction of the motion.

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