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tiasupastar
Jun 18, 2012, 07:17 AM
Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity on the planet mercury, given the following: mass of mercury and the radius. Please give me a formula to use.

ebaines
Jun 18, 2012, 08:21 AM
Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity on the planet mercury, given the following: mass of mercury and the radius. Please give me a formula to use.

The gravitational force on the surface of Mercury (or ant planet) can be found from:


F_{grav} = \frac {GMm}{R^2}


Where M = mass of the planet and R = radius of the planet. Since this force applied to a mass 'm' causes acceleration, you can find the acceleration value from


F = ma


Note that the 'm' term cancels out.

Post back with what you find for an answer.