AST 104 The Universe Around Us
Assignment 2 Solution
Spring 2026
Problem 1
First displacement:
d⃗1 = (200, 0) km
Second displacement:
d⃗2 = (100 cos 30◦ , 100 sin 30◦ ) = (86.6, 50) km
Total displacement:
⃗ = (286.6, 50)
D
Magnitude:
√ √ √
⃗ =
|D| 286.62 + 502 = 82139 + 2500 = 84639 ≈ 291 km
Direction:
−1 50
θ = tan ≈ 9.9◦ north of east
286.6
Distance traveled:
200 + 100 = 300 km
Displacement ≈ 291 km, 9.9◦ N of E
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Problem 2
A ring of mass
m = 100 g = 0.1 kg
is acted upon by three forces. We wish to determine the magnitude of the third force under
different acceleration conditions.
Step 1: Weight of the Ring
The gravitational force (weight) is
W = mg
W = (0.1)(9.8)
W = 0.98 N
This force acts downward.
Step 2: Apply Newton’s Second Law
Newton’s Second Law in the vertical direction:
X
Fy = ma
Let upward be positive.
Let the vertical components of the first two forces be F1y and F2y .
Let the third force be F3 (acting vertically).
Then:
F1y + F2y + F3 − mg = ma
We now evaluate each case.
(a) Ring Does Not Move
If the ring does not move:
a=0
Thus,
F1y + F2y + F3 − mg = 0
Solving for F3 :
2
F3 = mg − F1y − F2y
Substitute mg = 0.98 N:
F3 = 0.98 − F1y − F2y
This ensures equilibrium.
(b) Accelerates Upward at 1 m/s2
Now:
a = +1 m/s2
Newton’s law becomes:
F1y + F2y + F3 − mg = m(1)
Substitute m = 0.1:
F1y + F2y + F3 − 0.98 = 0.1
Solve for F3 :
F3 = 0.98 + 0.1 − F1y − F2y
F3 = 1.08 − F1y − F2y
Thus, compared to equilibrium, the third force must increase by 0.1 N to provide the
required upward acceleration.
(c) Accelerates Downward at 2 m/s2
Now:
a = −2 m/s2
Newton’s law:
F1y + F2y + F3 − mg = m(−2)
F1y + F2y + F3 − 0.98 = −0.2
Solving for F3 :
F3 = 0.98 − 0.2 − F1y − F2y
3
F3 = 0.78 − F1y − F2y
Summary
F3 = mg + ma − F1y − F2y
where:
m = 0.1 kg, g = 9.8 m/s2
Increasing upward acceleration requires increasing F3 . Downward acceleration requires
reducing F3 .
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Problem 3
From Problem 2(c), the ring (mass m = 0.1 kg) was accelerating downward at 2 m/s2 .
Step 1: Recall the Magnitude of the Third Force
From Newton’s Second Law in the vertical direction:
X
Fy = ma
For downward acceleration of 2 m/s2 :
F1y + F2y + F3 − mg = −0.2
Solving previously gave:
F3 = 0.78 − F1y − F2y
This magnitude is now FIXED.
Step 2: Modify Direction of F3
Now we rotate F3 so that it produces horizontal acceleration.
Let the new direction of F3 make an angle ϕ with the horizontal.
Resolve F3 into components:
F3x = F3 cos ϕ
F3y = F3 sin ϕ
Step 3: Vertical Force Balance
To ensure the ring accelerates purely to the right, the vertical forces must balance:
X
Fy = 0
F1y + F2y + F3 sin ϕ − mg = 0
This equation determines the required angle ϕ.
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Step 4: Horizontal Acceleration
The horizontal net force is:
X
Fx = max
As F1 and F2 ’s horizontal components cancel,
F3 cos ϕ = max
Thus,
F3 cos ϕ
ax =
m
Substitute m = 0.1 kg:
F3 cos ϕ
ax =
0.1
Step 5: Interpretation
Because the magnitude of F3 is fixed (from part 2c),
• The angle ϕ is chosen so that vertical forces cancel.
• The horizontal component produces the acceleration.
• The larger cos ϕ, the larger the horizontal acceleration.
Final Result
F3 cos ϕ
ax =
m
where ϕ satisfies:
F1y + F2y + F3 sin ϕ = mg.
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Problem 4
Orbital condition:
GM m mv 2
=
r2 r
If Sun mass doubles:
G(2M )
v2 =
r
√
Velocity must increase by 2 to keep same r.
If Earth mass doubles:
Mass cancels:
GM
v2 =
r
Orbit unchanged.
Problem 5
Kepler’s Third Law:
4π 2 r3
T2 =
GM
(a) Twice Earth mass planet:
Planet mass irrelevant.
T = 1 year
(b) Star mass 4M⊙ :
1
T2 =
4
1
T = year
2
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Problem 6
We use the generalized form of Kepler’s Third Law:
4π 2 a3
T2 =
G(M + m)
If one mass is much larger than the other, we approximate:
4π 2 a3
T2 ≈
GM
where:
G = 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 /kg2
(a) Mass of the Earth from the Moon
Given:
T = 27.3 days = 2.36 × 106 s
a = 384, 000 km = 3.84 × 108 m
Solve for ME :
4π 2 a3
ME =
GT 2
4π 2 (3.84 × 108 )3
ME =
(6.67 × 10−11 )(2.36 × 106 )2
ME ≈ 6.0 × 1024 kg
(b) Mass of Jupiter from Io
Given:
T = 42.5 hr = 1.53 × 105 s
a = 422, 000 km = 4.22 × 108 m
4π 2 a3
MJ =
GT 2
MJ ≈ 1.9 × 1027 kg
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(c) Orbital Distance of a 63-Day Planet
Star mass same as Sun.
Using simplified Kepler law in AU and years:
T 2 = r3
Convert:
63
T = = 0.173 yr
365
r3 = (0.173)2
r3 = 0.0299
r = 0.31 AU
r ≈ 0.31 AU
(d) Mass of Pluto–Charon System
T = 6.4 days = 5.53 × 105 s
a = 19, 600 km = 1.96 × 107 m
4π 2 a3
M=
GT 2
M ≈ 1.5 × 1022 kg
(e) Spacecraft 300 km Above Earth
r = RE + 300 km
r = 6.37 × 106 + 3.0 × 105
r = 6.67 × 106 m
s
r3
T = 2π
GME
T ≈ 5400 s ≈ 90 minutes
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(f ) Mass of the Milky Way
Given:
T = 230 million years = 7.25 × 1015 s
r = 27, 000 ly = 2.55 × 1020 m
4π 2 r3
M=
GT 2
M ≈ 1 × 1012 M⊙
This estimates the total mass inside the Sun’s orbit around the galactic center.
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Problem 7
Using:
4π 2 a3
M⊙ =
GT 2
Applying this formula to each planet yields values near:
M⊙ ≈ 2.0 × 1030 kg
Outer planets give better estimates because:
• Their orbital periods are measured more precisely.
• Their mass is negligible compared to the Sun.
• Perturbations are relatively small.
Problem 8
For a circular orbit:
r
GM
v=
r
Procedure:
1. Launch vertically.
2. Tilt trajectory.
3. Achieve required horizontal velocity.
4. Cut engines at exact orbital speed.
If velocity is incorrect:
• Too large → elliptical orbit or escape.
• Too small → elliptical orbit or decay.
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Problem 9
Geosynchronous condition:
T = 24 hr
Orbital period depends on radius:
T 2 ∝ r3
Half the Moon’s distance:
r = 1.92 × 108 m
This gives:
T ≫ 24 hr
Therefore: Not possible
The orbital radius is fixed uniquely by Earth’s mass and 24-hour period.
Problem 10
Condition:
Fgravity = Fcentripetal
Five points:
• L1 : Between Earth and Sun
• L2 : Beyond Earth
• L3 : Opposite side of Sun
• L4 : 60◦ ahead of Earth
• L5 : 60◦ behind Earth
Stability:
L4 , L5 are stable, while L1 , L2 , L3 are unstable
James Webb Space Telescope is located at:
L2
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