How Does Altitude Affect Gravitational Force on an Astronaut Orbiting the Moon?

In summary, Newton's law of gravitation is a fundamental law of physics that describes the attractive force between two objects with mass. It is determined by the masses of the objects, the distance between them, and the gravitational constant. This law explains the motion of objects in space, such as the orbit of planets and the falling of objects towards the Earth. It has been further developed and refined by scientists, including Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.
  • #1
cleanandsimpl
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An astronaut weighs 99.3 N on the surface of the moon. If the same astronaut orbits the moon at an altitude equal to the moons radius, what gravitational force (in N) does the moon exert on him at this altitude?


can anybody get me going in the right direction? thanks
 
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  • #2
cleanandsimpl said:
can anybody get me going in the right direction? thanks
Yes: Use the homework question template provided.
 

Related to How Does Altitude Affect Gravitational Force on an Astronaut Orbiting the Moon?

What is Newton's law of gravitation?

Newton's law of gravitation is a fundamental law of physics that describes the attractive force between two objects with mass. It states that the force of gravity between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

What are the three main components of Newton's law of gravitation?

The three main components of Newton's law of gravitation are the masses of the two objects, the distance between them, and the gravitational constant, which is a fixed value that determines the strength of the gravitational force.

How does Newton's law of gravitation relate to the motion of objects in space?

Newton's law of gravitation explains the motion of objects in space by describing how the gravitational force between two objects affects their movement. It states that objects with larger masses will have a greater gravitational force between them and will therefore accelerate towards each other at a faster rate.

What are some real-world examples of Newton's law of gravitation?

Some real-world examples of Newton's law of gravitation include the motion of planets around the sun, the orbit of the moon around the Earth, and the falling of objects towards the Earth due to its gravitational pull.

How has Newton's law of gravitation been expanded upon by later scientists?

Newton's law of gravitation has been expanded upon by later scientists, particularly by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. This theory provides a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of gravity, especially in extreme conditions such as near black holes.

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