23.

(c) Let the subscript 1 represent the mass of the Sun at its current value and the subscript 2 represent the mass of the Sun at
1 1
half its current value. Since MS2 = MS1, CS2 = CS1. Thus,
2 2
r3 r3
CS1 = 2 and CS2 = 2 .
T T
 r3 
 2
CS1  T1 
=
CS2  r 3 
 2
 T2 
T2 2
=2
T12
T2
= 2
T1
24. (c) A satellite in geosynchronous orbit has a period of revolution of 24 h.
25. (a) The speed of the comet increases as it comes closer to the Sun. Position A is closet to the Sun, and therefore has the
greatest speed. Position C is furthest from the Sun, and so has the slowest speed. Positions B and D are equidistant
from the Sun and are between positions A and C. Thus, vA > vB = vD > vC.
26. (e) MP = ME
1
rP = rE
4
2GM E 2GM E 8GM E
vE = and vP = =
rE 1 rE
rE
4
 8GM E 
 
vP  rE 
=
vE  2GM E 
 
 rE 
vP
= 4
vE
vP = 2vE

CHAPTER 6 REVIEW
(Pages 300–301)

Understanding Concepts
1. The escape energy (and thus the escape speed) from the Sun is much greater than that from Earth, so the rocket given the
speed needed to escape from Earth would not have enough speed to escape from the solar system. Space vehicles sent to
explore distant planets have a much lower binding energy by the time they reach those distant locations, and could acquire
enough energy to escape from the solar system by taking advantage of the force of gravity of the distant planet.
2. Since Earth rotates eastward, an eastward orientation of the rocket as it is being launched means that the rocket already
has a component of the required velocity before blasting off. This means that less energy will be needed to launch the
rocket eastward than would be required to launch it westward in order to achieve the same speed.
3. gU = 1.0 N/kg
MU = 8.80× 1025 kg
rU = 2.56× 107 m

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Chapter 6 Gravitation and Celestial Mechanics 375

 GM U
gU =
(r + rU ) 2
GM U
r= − rU
gU

(6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(8.80 × 1025 kg)

= − 2.56 × 107 m
1.0 N/kg
= 5.1 × 10 7 m
r = 5.1 × 10 4 km
Uranus has a gravitational field strength of 1.0 N/kg at an elevation of 5.1 × 104 km above the surface.
4. M = 1.48 × 1023 kg
r = 5.55 × 103 km = 5.55 × 106 m
GM
g= 2
r
(6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(1.48 × 1023 kg)
=
(5.55 × 106 m)2
g = 0.318 N/kg
The magnitude of Ganymede’s gravitational field strength at a point in space 5.55 × 103 km from its centre is 0.318 N/kg.
5. Use the spacecraft-to-Earth line as the reference for the coordinate system.
ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg
MMoon = 7.35 × 1022 kg
rE-spacecraft = 3.07 × 108 m
rMoon-spacecraft = 2.30 × 108 m
G G G
g T = g E + g Moon
G
g T,x = g E
G
g T,y = g Moon

G GM
gE = 2 E
r
(6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(5.98 × 10 24 kg)
=
(3.07 × 108 m)2
G
g E = 4.23 ×10 −3 N/kg

G GM Moon
g Moon =
r2
(6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(7.35 × 1022 kg)
=
(2.30 × 108 m)2
G
g M = 9.26 × 10−5 N/kg

G
g T = g T,x 2 + g T,y 2

(4.23×10 ) + (9.26 ×10 )

2 2
−3 −5
= N/kg N/kg
G
g T = 4.23 × 10−3 N/kg

376 Unit 2 Energy and Momentum Copyright © 2003 Nelson

 g T,y
tan θ =
g T,x
 g T,y 
θ = tan −1  

 g T,x 
θ = 1.26°
The total gravitational field strength (magnitude and direction) of the Earth-Moon-spacecraft system is 4.23 × 10−3 N/kg
[1.26° from the spacecraft-to-Earth line].
6. rE = 6.38 × 106 m
dM = 0.38dE
gE = 9.8 N/kg
gM = 0.38gE

Since Mercury’s diameter is 0.38 times that of Earth’s, Mercury’s radius is also 0.38 times that of Earth. Therefore,
rM = 0.38 rE.
GM M
gM =
rM 2
GM M
gM =
(0.38rE )2
Substituting gM = 0.38 gE:
GM M
0.38 g E =
(0.38rE )
2

(0.38 g E )(0.38rE )
2

MM =
G
(0.38 ) (9.80 N/kg) ((0.38)(6.38 × 106 m) )
2

=
6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2
M M = 3.3 × 10 23 kg
Therefore, Mercury’s mass is 3.3 × 1023 kg.
7. v = 7.15 × 103 m/s
ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg
rE = 6.38 × 106 m
GM E
(a) v =
r
GM
r = 2E
v

=
(6.67 ×10 −11
)(
N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 5.98 × 1024 kg )
(7.15 ×10 )
3 2
m/s
6
r = 7.80 × 10 m

In terms of Earth’s radius, the satellite’s distance from Earth’s centre is

r 7.80 × 106 m
=
rE 6.38 × 106 m
r = 1.22 rE
Thus, the satellite is 1.22 rE from Earth’s centre.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Chapter 6 Gravitation and Celestial Mechanics 377

 (b) altitude = r − rE
= 1.22 rE − rE
altitude = 0.22 rE
The satellite has an altitude of 0.22 rE.
8. vTethys = 1.1 × 104 m/s
MS = 5.67 × 1026 kg
GM S
(a) v =
r
GM S
r= 2
v

=
(6.67 ×10 −11
)(
N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 5.67 × 1026 kg )
(1.1×10 m/s )
2
4

r = 3.1 × 108 m, or 3.1× 105 km

The orbital radius of Tethys is 3.1 × 105 km.
2π r
(b) T =
v

=
(
2π 3.1 ×108 m )
4
1.1× 10 m/s
 1 h  1 d 
= (1.8 × 105 s)   
 3600 s  24 h 
T = 2.1 d
The orbital period of Tethys is 2.1 d.
9. MS = 1.99 × 1030 kg
TV = 1.94 × 107 m
GM S
CS =
4π 2
r3
= CS
TV 2
TV 2 GM S
r3 =
4π 2
TV 2 GM S
r= 3
4π 2
(1.94 × 107 s) 2 (6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(1.99 × 1030 kg)
= 3
4π 2
r = 1.08 × 1011 m
The average Sun-Venus distance is 1.08 × 1011 m.
10. ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg
rE = 6.38 × 106 m
v = 9.00 km/s = 9.00 × 103 m/s
mR = 4.60 kg

378 Unit 2 Energy and Momentum Copyright © 2003 Nelson

 (a) r′ = ?

Applying the law of conservation of energy:

Eg + EK = Eg′ + EK′
GM E mR 1 GM E mR
− + mR v 2 = − +0
rE 2 r′
GM E 1 2 GM E
− + v =−
rE 2 r′
GM E GM E 1 2
= − v
r′ rE 2
GM E
r′ =
GM E 1 2
− v
rE 2

=
(6.67 ×10 −11
)(
N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 5.98 × 1024 kg )
(6.67 ×10 −11 2
N ⋅ m /s 2
)(5.98 ×10 24
kg )−1
(9.00 ×10 )
3 2
6
m/s
6.38 × 10 m 2
r ′ = 1.85 × 107 m

Let the altitude be A.

A = r ′ − rE
= 1.85 × 107 m − 6.38 × 106 m
A = 1.21× 107 m
The altitude above Earth’s surface is 1.21 × 107 m or 1.21 × 104 km.
(b) At the altitude found in (a), the gravitational potential energy is negative, the kinetic energy is zero (because the speed
is zero), and the binding energy, EB′, is the extra energy needed to give the rocket a total energy of zero.
EB′ + Eg′ + EK′ = 0

EB′ = − Eg′
 GM E mR 
= −− 
 r′ 
GM E mR
=
r′

=
(6.67 ×10 −11
)( )
N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 5.98 × 10 24 kg ( 4.60 kg )
7
1.85 × 10 m
EB′ = 9.92 × 10 J 7

The binding energy is 9.92 × 107 J.

11. MT = 1.35 × 1023 kg (mass of Titan)
rT = 2.58 × 103 km = 2.58 × 106 m
mR = 2.34 × 103 kg (mass of rocket)
(a) vesc = ? (escape speed)
2GM T
vesc =
rT

=
( )(
2 6.67 × 10 −11 N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 1.35 × 10 23 kg )
6
2.58 × 10 m
3
vesc = 2.64 × 10 m/s
The escape speed from Titan is 2.64 × 103 m/s.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Chapter 6 Gravitation and Celestial Mechanics 379

 (b) Eesc = ? (escape speed)

At the surface of Titan, the rocket is at rest, so its kinetic energy is zero. Thus, its total energy is Eg and the escape
energy is the extra energy needed to give the rocket a total energy of zero.
Eg + Eesc = 0
Eesc = − Eg
 GM T mR 
= − − 
 rT 
GM T mR
=
rT

=
(6.67 ×10 −11
)( )(
N ⋅ m2 /s 2 1.35 × 1023 kg 2.34 × 103 kg )
6
2.58 × 10 m
Eesc = 8.17 × 109 J
The escape energy is 8.17 × 109 J. This value can also be found by using the escape speed of the rocket in the equation
1
EK = mR (vesc ) .
2

2
12. ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg
rE = 6.38 × 106 m
mR = 1.00 × 104 kg
rR = 1.00 × 1010 m
(a) Eg = ?
GM E mR
Eg = −
rR

=−
(6.67 ×10 −11
)( )(
N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 5.98 × 10 24 kg 1.00 × 10 4 kg )
10
1.00 ×10 m
8
Eg = −3.99 × 10 J
The gravitational potential energy is −3.99 × 108 J.
(b) Since the total energy, EK + Eg, must be at least zero, the kinetic energy needed to escape is +3.99 × 108 J.
(c) vesc = ?
2GM E
vesc =
rR

=
(6.67 ×10 −11
)(
N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 5.98 ×10 24 kg )
10
1.00 × 10 m
2
vesc = 2.82 × 10 m/s
The escape speed from this position is 2.82 × 102 m/s. The escape speed can also be found by applying the escape
2EK
energy found in (b) to the equation involving the kinetic energy, vesc = , where EK = Eesc.
m
13. MS = 1.99 × 1030 kg
ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg
rE = 1.49 × 1011 m
GM S M E
Eg = −
rE

=−
(6.67 ×10 −11
)( )(
N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 1.99 × 1030 kg 5.98 × 1024 kg )
11
1.49 × 10 m
33
Eg = −5.33 × 10 J
The gravitational potential energy of the Sun-Earth system is −5.33 × 1033 J.

380 Unit 2 Energy and Momentum Copyright © 2003 Nelson

14. (a) MM = 3.28 × 1023 kg
rM = 2.44 × 106 m
2GM M
v=
rM

=
( )(
2 6.67 × 10 −11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 3.28 ×1023 kg )
6
2.44 × 10 m
v = 4.23 × 103 m/s, or 4.23 km/s
The escape speed from Mercury is 4.23 km/s.
(b) MMoon = 7.35 × 1022 kg
rMoon = 1.74 × 106 m
2GM Moon
v=
rMoon

=
(
2 6.67 × 10 −11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(7.35 ×10 22
kg )
6
1.74 × 10 m
3
v = 2.37 × 10 m/s, or 2.37 km/s
The escape speed from Earth’s Moon is 2.37 km/s.
15. (a) Mstar = 3.4 × 1030 kg
1.7 × 104 m
rstar = = 8.5 × 103 m
2
2GM star
v=
rstar

=
( )(
2 6.67 × 10 −11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 3.4 × 1030 kg )
3
8.5 × 10 m
8
v = 2.3 × 10 m/s
The escape speed from a neutron star is 2.3 × 108 m/s.
(b) c = 3.00 × 108 m/s
v 2.3 × 108 m/s
=
c 3.00 × 108 m/s
v
= 0.77
c
v
Thus, the percentage equals   ×100% = 77% .
c
The escape speed from a neutron star is 77% the speed of light.
5.06 × 107 m
16. (a) r = = 2.53 ×107 m
2
v = 24 km/s = 2.4 × 104 m/s
2GM
v=
r
rv 2
M =
2G
(2.53 ×10 m )(2.4 ×10 m )
2
7 4

=
2 (6.67 × 10 N ⋅ m /kg )
−11 2 2

M = 1.1 × 10 26 kg
The planet’s mass is 1.1 × 1026 kg.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Chapter 6 Gravitation and Celestial Mechanics 381

 (b) According to the data in Appendix C, the planet is Neptune. (There is a 6% difference in mass from Appendix C.)
17. MS = 1.99 × 1030 kg
MP = 1.67 × 10−27 kg
r = 1.4 × 109 m (initial position)
v = 3.5 × 105 m/s (initial speed)
(a) r′ = 2.8 × 109 m (final position)
v′ = ? (final speed)

Applying the law of conservation of energy:

Eg + EK = Eg′ + EK′
GM S mP 1 GM S mP 1
+ mP (v′ )
2
− + mP v 2 = −
r 2 r′ 2
GM S 1 2 GM S 1
+ (v ′ )
2
− + v =−
r 2 r′ 2
 1 1 2
(v′ ) = 2GM S  −  + v
2

 r′ r 
 1 1
v′ = 2GM S  −  + v 2
 r′ r 

( )(1.99 × 10 )  2.8 × 10
1 1 
( )
2
= 2 6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 30
kg  8
− 9
5
 + 3.5 × 10 m/s
m 1.4 × 10 m 
v′ = 1.7 × 105 m/s
The proton’s speed is 1.7 × 105 m/s.
(b) vesc′ = ? (escape speed at the final position)
2GM S
vesc′ =
r′
2(6.67 × 10 −11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(1.99 × 1030 kg)
=
2.8 × 109 m
vesc′ = 3.1× 105 m/s
The escape speed is 3.1 × 105 m/s at the location indicated; this is greater than the speed found in (a), so the proton will
not escape.
18. When light strikes a piece of black paper, a small portion of the light is reflected. However, when light strikes a black
hole, the light is absorbed, making the black hole even blacker than black paper.
19. m = 1.1 × 1011 MS
MS = 1.99 × 1030 kg
c = 3.00 × 108 m/s
2GM
r= 2
c
2(6.67 ×10 −11 N ⋅ m 2 /kg 2 )(1.1× 1011 (1.99 × 1030 kg))
=
(3.00 × 108 m/s)2
r = 3.2 ×1014 m
The Schwartzschild radius of the black hole is 3.2 × 1014 m.

Applying Inquiry Skills

20. Table 1 provides the missing answers concerning some of the moons of Uranus.
r3
(a) Kepler’s third law constant for Uranus (CU) can be calculated using the ratio .
T2
(b) The average of the CU values of the calculations in (a) is 1.48 × 1014 m3/s2.

382 Unit 2 Energy and Momentum Copyright © 2003 Nelson

 (c) MU = 8.80 × 1025 kg
GM U
CU =
4π 2
(6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅ m 2 / kg 2 )(8.80 × 1025 kg)
=
4π 2
CU = 1.49 × 1014 m3 /s 2
The values agree (0.7% difference).
r3
(d) Table completed using equations T = and r = 3 CUT 2 .
CU
(e) Students who speculate that only the larger moons can be observed using Earth-based telescopes are right. Thus, only
the larger moons were discovered hundreds of years ago. Students who research the physical data of the moons that
orbit Uranus will find that Titania and Oberon have diameters greater than 1500 km, whereas all the other moons listed
are less than 100 km in diameter.

Table 1 Data of Several Moons of the Planet Uranus for Question 20

3 2
Moon Discovery raverage (km) T (Earth days) CU (m /s )
Ophelia Voyager 2 (1986) 5.38 × 10
4 0.375 1.48 × 10
14

Desdemona Voyager 2 (1986) 6.27 × 10

4 0.475 1.46 × 10
14

Juliet Voyager 2 (1986) 6.44 × 10

4 0.492 1.48 × 10
14

Portia Voyager 2 (1986) 6.61 × 10

4 0.512 1.48 × 10
14

Rosalind Voyager 2 (1986) 6.99 × 10

4 0.556 1.48 × 10
14

Belinda Voyager 2 (1986) 7.52 × 10

4 0.621 1.48 × 10
14

Titania Herschel (1787) 4.36 × 10

5 8.66 1.48 × 10
14

Oberon Herschel (1787) 5.85 × 10

5 13.46 1.48 × 10
14

21. (a) Some students may think the problem makes sense. However, many students will realize that the (theoretical) radius of
an orbit that has a period of 65 min would be less than Earth’s radius. (Students may recall that the typical orbital
period of a satellite in low-altitude orbit is about 80 min. For example, see question 22 on page 168 of the text.)
(b) ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg
T = 65 min = (65 min)(60 s/min) = 3.90 × 103 s
r=?
r 3 GM E
=
T2 4π 2
 GM E  2
r3 =  2 
T
 4π 
GM ET 2
r= 3
4π 2

(6.67 ×10 )( )( )
−11 2
3
N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 5.98 × 1024 kg 3.90 ×103 s
=
4π 2
r = 5.36 × 106 m
The theoretical radius of the orbit is 5.36 × 106 m.
(c) Earth’s radius (6.38 × 106 m) is larger than the theoretical radius found in (b), so the calculated orbit cannot exist.
(d) The skill of analyzing a situation is valuable in order to reduce the chances of wasting time on calculations that don’t
make sense and to increase the chances of being able to estimate whether or not a solution to a problem is logical.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Chapter 6 Gravitation and Celestial Mechanics 383

22. (a) The rocket’s mass can be calculated from the gravitational potential energy at rest (on Earth’s surface at rE). From the
graph Eg = –10 × 1010 J = –1.0× 1011 J.
−GM E m
Eg =
r
−rEg
m=
GM E

=
( )(
− 6.38 ×106 m −1.0 × 1011 J )
(6.67 ×10 −11 2
N ⋅ m /kg 2
)(5.98 ×10 24
kg )
3
m = 1.6 × 10 kg
The rocket’s mass is 1.6 × 103 kg.
(b) The escape energy can be determined using the value of gravitational potential energy at rest (1.0 × 1011 J).
(c) The launch speed of the rocket can be calculated using the value of the initial kinetic energy EK (on Earth’s surface at
rE). From the graph EK = –12 × 1010 J = –1.2× 1011 J.
1
EK = mv 2
2
2 EK
v=
m
2(1.2 × 1011 J)
=
1.6 × 103 kg
v = 1.2 ×10 4 m/s
The launch speed is 1.2 × 104 m/s.
(d) Extrapolating from the graph, the kinetic energy EK, approaches 2.0 × 1010 J as the distance approaches infinity, where
Eg would approach zero. This can be approximated: at 5rE, the kinetic energy is 4.0 × 1010 J and Eg is –2.0 × 1010 J.
1
EK = mv 2
2
2 EK
v=
m
2(2.0 ×1010 J)
=
1.6 × 103 kg
v = 5.0 ×103 m/s
The speed is 5.0 × 103 m/s.

Making Connections
23. (a) Turning the high-speed craft around would require a fairly large amount of energy, so mission control decided to have
the craft continue on toward the Moon. The idea was to take advantage of the Moon’s gravity to act as a sort of sling-
shot to help the craft accelerate in turning around and begin its return journey at the highest speed possible.
(b) One major risk was the chance that there would not be enough electrical power available to guide the craft around the
Moon at the most crucial times.

Extension
24. Let L represent the large planet and S represent the small planet.
rL = 2rS
DL = DS (densities)

384 Unit 2 Energy and Momentum Copyright © 2003 Nelson

 Thus, using V for volume, the ratio of the masses is:
mS DSVS
=
mL DLVL
VS
=
VL
4 3
  π rS
3
= 
4 3
  π rL
3
r3 
=  S 3 
 rL 
3
mS  1 
= 
mL  2 

The centripetal acceleration of the satellite is caused by the force of gravity in each case. Thus, using magnitudes:
mv 2 4π 2 mr
ΣF = mac = =
r T2
GMm 4π 2 mr
=
r2 T2
3
r GM
2
=
T 4π 2
T 2 4π 2
=
r 3 GM
 TL 2   4π 2 
 3  
 rL  =  GmL 
 TS2   4π 2 
 3  
 rS   GmS 
TL 2 rS3 mS
3
× 2
=
rL TS mL
TL 2 rL3 mS
2
= 3
×
TS rS mL
 r 3  m 
TL 2 = TS2  L3   S 
 rS   mL 
3 3
2 1
TL 2 = TS2    
1 2
TL 2 = TS2
TL = TS
The shortest possible period is 40 min.
25. Since the radius of the path is 2.0 × 1011 m, the distance between the stars is 2(2.0 × 1011 m) = 4.0 × 1011 m,
MS = 3.0 × 1030 kg (mass of each star). The only force acting on each star is the force of gravity of the other star, which
causes the circular motion of one star around the other.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Chapter 6 Gravitation and Celestial Mechanics 385

 ΣF = mac
GM S M S M Sv 2
=
( 2r )2 r
GM S v2
=
4r 2 r
GM S
= v2
4r
2
GM S  2π r 
= 
4r  T 
GM S 4π 2 r 2
=
4r T2
16π 2 r 3
T2 =
GM S
16π 2 r 3
T=
GM S

( )
3
16π 2 2.0 × 1011 m
=
(6.67 ×10 −11
)(
N ⋅ m 2 /s 2 3.0 × 1030 kg )
T = 7.9 × 107 s
The period of one complete cycle is 7.9 × 107 s.
1
26. E is the amount of energy per unit area, and that area is proportional to , where r is the distance from the Sun to the
r2
planet, so:
1
E∝
r2
k
E= 2
r

From Kepler’s third law:

r3
=C
T2
r 3 = CT 2 where C is Kepler’s third law constant for the Sun
2 4
r 2 = C 3T 3

Substituting into the first equation:

k
E= 2 4
C 3T 3
−2 −4
E = kC 3 T 3

−4
E = (constant)T 3

−4
Thus, E is proportional to T 3 . (Solving for the “constant” is unnecessary.)

386 Unit 2 Energy and Momentum Copyright © 2003 Nelson