Question

Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, several thousand small objects called asteroids move in nearly circular orbits around the Sun. Consider an asteroid that is spherically shaped with radius rr and density 2600 kg/m^3

a)You find yourself on the surface of this asteroid and throw a baseball at a speed of 29 m/s . If the baseball is to travel around the asteroid in a circular orbit, what is the largest radius asteroid on which you are capable of accomplishing this feat?

b) After you throw the baseball, you turn around and face the opposite direction and catch the baseball. How much time T elapses between your throw and your catch?

Answer 1

radius of asteroid = r

density of asteroid = 2600 kg/m³

speed of ball V = 29 m/s

when the ball is in a circular orbit of radius r, asteroid's radius is also r.

gravitational force = centripetal force

(a)

(b)

time period