In: Physics
Carla and Jenny are arguing about whether or not it is possible to escape the gravitational field of the Earth. Carla shows Jenny a system where mass m is rE (not the Earth's radius) distant from Earth and rP (not planet P's radius) distant from planet P, the mass being on the line connecting the Earth and planet P. Carla states that the mass m has escaped if FP on m = −FE on m. Jenny disagrees. Which one, if either, is correct, and why?
Mass is at a distance of from earth (mass ), and the mass is at a distance of from planet P( mass )
The mass is on the line connecting the earth and planet P.
Force on mass due to earth is
Force on mass due to planet P is
If , that is magnitude of forces are equal and directions are opposite.That means, earth is pulling the mass towards it self with a force and planet is pulling the mass with the same amount of force towards it self.So the mass cannot move either towards earth or towards the planet.Or it cannot be escaped from its position.
Hence Carla's statement is wrong.
As Jenny disagrees with Carla, Jenny is correct.