Planets are not uniform inside. Normally, they are densest | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics

Chapter 13 Problem 13.81

Question

Planets are not uniform inside. Normally, they are densest at the center and have decreasing density outward toward the surface. Model a spherically symmetric planet, with the same radius as the earth, as having a density that decreases linearly with distance from the center. Let the density be \(15.0\times10^3\mathrm{\ kg}/\mathrm{m}^3\) at the center and \(2.0\times10^3\mathrm{\ kg}/\mathrm{m}^3\) at the surface. What is the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of this planet?

Solution

Step 1 of 4

Introduction

The density varies with respect to the radius. The density is maximum in the center of the planet and minimum at the surface. We need to find the acceleration due to gravity at the surface.

The density gradient is given as,

Given,

Density at the center =

Density at the surface =

Radius =

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full solution

Title Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics 13 
Author Hugh D. Young; Roger A. Freedman; A. Lewis Ford
ISBN 9780321696861

Planets are not uniform inside. Normally, they are densest

Chapter 13 textbook questions

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