Question

Calculate the force of Earth’s gravity on a spacecraft 2.00 Earth radii above the Earth’s surface (That would be 3.00 Earth radii from the center of Earth) if its mass is 1850 kg.
Express your answer to three significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Answer 1

Answer:

2014.44 N

Explanation:

mass of spacecraft, m = 1850 kg

distance r = 3 x R

where r be the radius of earth.

g be the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth and g' be the acceleration due to gravity at height

$\frac{g'}{g}=\left (\frac{R}{r} \right )^{2}$

$\frac{g'}{g}=\left (\frac{R}{3R} \right )^{2}$

g' = g / 9

g' = 9.8 / 9 = 1.089 m/s²

Force of gravity on the space craft

F = m g' = 1850 x 1.089

F = 2014.44 N

Thus, the force of gravity on the space craft at height is 2014.44 N.