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Gravitational fields distance confusion

Hi guys just wanted to get ur opinion on q2a part ii. I was wondering if the distance quoted is measured from the centre of the sun or if that distance is to the surface of the sun.

I have tried both and with the rounding in the books answers i cannot discern which is true.

Original post by Shaanv
Hi guys just wanted to get ur opinion on q2a part ii. I was wondering if the distance quoted is measured from the centre of the sun or if that distance is to the surface of the sun.

I have tried both and with the rounding in the books answers i cannot discern which is true.

It's from the centre. But as 1.4x10^9 is about 1% of 1.5x10^11, then it won't make a huge difference either way.
Original post by Shaanv
...


The eqns use distances between centres of mass, as you should know. If you're worried about whether you need to add the sun's radius to their quoted figure, worry about adding the earth's radius too.

So either add both radii, or neither. I suspect the latter gives the answer in the book, but just adding the sun's radius is flawed thinking.
(edited 6 years ago)

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