Earth --> Sun: Kaboum!!

Discussion in 'Physics & Math' started by c'est moi, Mar 28, 2002.

  1. (Q) Encephaloid Martini Valued Senior Member

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    In fact, the Earth and Moon orbit their common centre of mass. However, the centre of mass is a point inside the Earth, so it is more or less correct to say that the Moon orbits the Earth.

    A very good point. The Sun-Earth systems center of mass is a point somewhere between the two bodies.

    But I don't think it's that cut-and-dried. The orbit of the Earth around the Sun is more complex. It requires the use of the 2-body problem (with moon - 3 body problem) and if all other forces of gravity were to be taken into account, the n-body problem is used for more accuracy. These calculations will take all gravitational forces into account although the forces are miniscule and will have little effect on the orbit.

    cest moi

    so mercurius has a much higher speed than the earth and pluto must be the slowest ...

    and any object that enters the solar system and that has no balance between its initial speed and the force of gravity will or drift away from our solar system or be attracted towards the sun and burned


    You're starting to get the idea.
     
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  3. c'est moi all is energy and entropy Registered Senior Member

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    I love it when things get more clear

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  5. Rick Valued Senior Member

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    Since the mass of Sun is higher than earth,the systems(2 body problem)C.G will be outside the earth's geometric centre...
    good point Q.


    bye!
     
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  7. Dinosaur Rational Skeptic Valued Senior Member

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    It is more correct to say that the center of mass of two spherical objects is between their centers, rather than between them. In the case of the Earth & Sun, the center of mass is deep inside the Sun. I am not sure, but think that the same is true for all of the planets in the solar system.

    The Moon, Earth, & Sun interactions are unique in the solar system.
    • The Sun’s gravitational force on the Moon is slightly over twice the force of the Earth on the Moon..
    • The average distance of the Moon from the earth is about 239,000 Miles (384,500 km).
    • At about 160,000 miles (259,400 km) from the earth, the attraction of the Earth is equal to the attraction of the Sun.
    • Jovian satellites and Jupiter sometimes move in the opposite direction with respect to the Sun. The Moon always moves in the same direction as the Earth with respect to the Sun.
    • If you plot the orbit of the Moon with respect to the Sun, it is a wavy curve. If you plot the orbits of the Jovian satellites with respect to the Sun, they have loops.
    From the above, it seems technically correct to say that the Moon is a small planet of the Sun, with an orbit highly perturbed by the Earth.
     
  8. (Q) Encephaloid Martini Valued Senior Member

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    dinosaur

    It is more correct to say that the center of mass of two spherical objects is between their centers, rather than between them. In the case of the Earth & Sun, the center of mass is deep inside the Sun. I am not sure, but think that the same is true for all of the planets in the solar system.

    Thanks for the clarification. The center of mass is deep inside the Sun for all the planets.
     
  9. Rick Valued Senior Member

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    Gosh!is Sun's mass so much higher?

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    !!??
    curious...


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  10. (Q) Encephaloid Martini Valued Senior Member

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  11. Crisp Gone 4ever Registered Senior Member

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  12. James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    The mass of the sun accounts for 99% of the mass of the solar system.
     
  13. Rick Valued Senior Member

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    Gee,Thanks all for info.

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    bye!
     
  14. IggDawg Registered Senior Member

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    Q, you mention LaGrange points. From what I gather these are points where gravity cancels out. why don't you shotgun a little info on the subject out since we're sorta talking about that kind of thing.
     
  15. (Q) Encephaloid Martini Valued Senior Member

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    LaGrange Points

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