The gravitational attraction between two objects with masses m 1 and m 2 , separated by distance
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The gravitational attraction between two objects with masses m1 and m2, separated by distance x, is F = Gm1m2 /x2, where G is the gravitational constant.
a. How much work is done by gravity when the separation changes from x1 to x2? Assume x2 < x1.
b. If one mass is much greater than the other, the larger mass stays essentially at rest while the smaller mass moves toward it. Suppose a 1.5 × 1013 kg comet is passing the orbit of Mars, heading straight for the sun at a speed of 3.5 × 104 m/s.
What will its speed be when it crosses the orbit of Mercury?
Astronomical data are given in the tables at the back of the book, and G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2/kg2.
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Physics for Scientists and Engineers A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics
ISBN: 978-0133942651
4th edition
Authors: Randall D. Knight
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