All of electrostatics follows from 1/r2the character of Coulomb's law, together with the principle of superposition. An analogous theory can therefore be constructed for Newton's law of universal gravitation. What is the gravitational energy of a sphere, of mass M and radius R,assuming the density is uniform? Use your result to estimate the gravitational energy of the sun (look up the relevant numbers). Note that the energy is negative-masses attract,whereas (like) electric charges repel.As the matter "falls in," to create the sun, its energy is converted into other forms (typically thermal), and it is subsequently released in the form of radiation. The sun radiates at a rate of 3.86×1026W; if all this came from gravitational energy, how long would the sun last? [The sun is in fact much older than that, so evidently this is notthe source of its power.]

Short Answer

Expert verified

The time taken by the sun is 1.87×107years.

Step by step solution

01

Define functions

Write the expression for the Coulomb’s law.

F=kqQr2r^ …… (1)

Here, is the force of attraction or repulsion, is the Coulombs law, is the magnitude of the first charge, is the magnitude of second charge, is the distance between two charges.

Now, write the expression for the Newton’s law of universal gravitation.

g¯=GMmR2 …… (2)

Here,g¯ is the gravitational force, is the gravitational constant, is t. he mass of the first body, is the mass of the second body, is the distance separation between two bodies.

Also radiant power of the sun is given, P=3.86×1026W.

02

Determine gravitational energy

Write the different point for the gravitational filed for the sphere.

g¯=GMrR3r<RGMr2r>R

Write the expression for gravitational energy of the sphere. localid="1657516798798" W=1214πGsphereg2dπ.......(3)

=18πG0g2dτ

Here, w is the gravitational energy.

Substitute the value of GMrR3r<RGMr2r>Rforg¯inequation(3)

w=18πG0RGMrR32dτ+RGMrr22dτ=18πG0RG2M2r2R64πτ2dr+RG2M2r44πr2dτ=3GM25R

Thus, the gravitational energy is w=3GM25R.

Substitute 6.67×10-11N.m2/kg2for G, 1.99×1030kgfor Mand 6.96×108mfor R.

w=36.67×10-11N.m2/kg21.99×1030kg256.96×108m

=2.277×1041J

Therefore, the value of gravitational energy is =2.277×1041J.

03

Determine time taken by the sun

Write the expression for the time taken by the sun to last long.

t=Pw-1

Here, t is the time taken by the sun, P is the radiant power.

Substitute 3.86×1026W for Pand 2.27×1041J for w.

t=3.86×1026W2.27×1041J-1=5.898×1014s=1.87×107yrs

Hence, the time taken by the sun is 1.87×107yrs.

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