I am trying to calculate the gravitational mass (in solar masses)  I have the formula M= V^2 R / G (4.31 x 10^-6)  The paperwork says our numbers should be big but I am coming up with .002 etc.  What am I doing wrong?

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I am trying to calculate the gravitational mass (in solar masses)  I have the formula M= V^2 R / G (4.31 x 10^-6)  The paperwork says our numbers should be big but I am coming up with .002 etc.  What am I doing wrong?

To determine the mass \( M \) of a galaxy, we use the formula:

\[
M = \frac{v^2 R}{G}
\]

Here, \( v \) is the velocity, \( R \) is the radius from a specified point, and \( G \) is the gravitational constant, which has a value of \( 4.31 \times 10^{-6} \) in astronomical units. This equation is used to calculate the gravitational mass within the galaxy. It’s important to measure \( R \) accurately as shown in "column B in Table 1" and to consider that galaxies can contain a significant number of stars.
Transcribed Image Text:To determine the mass \( M \) of a galaxy, we use the formula: \[ M = \frac{v^2 R}{G} \] Here, \( v \) is the velocity, \( R \) is the radius from a specified point, and \( G \) is the gravitational constant, which has a value of \( 4.31 \times 10^{-6} \) in astronomical units. This equation is used to calculate the gravitational mass within the galaxy. It’s important to measure \( R \) accurately as shown in "column B in Table 1" and to consider that galaxies can contain a significant number of stars.
**Astronomy 101 Lab 8: Dark Matter**

**Worksheet**

**Table 1**

| A. Radius (kpc) | B. Radial Velocity (km/s) | C. Gravitational Mass (in solar masses) | D. Luminosity (in solar luminosity) |
|-----------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| 1               | 80                        | 0.0514                                 |                                    |
| 2               | 90                        | 0.0331                                 |                                    |
| 4               | 120                       | 0.0133                                 |                                    |
| 5               | 138                       | 0.0220                                 |                                    |
| 6               | 120                       | 0.0200                                 |                                    |
| 9               | 155                       | 0.0500                                 |                                    |
| 10              | 160                       | 0.0590                                 |                                    |

**F. Plot**

A grid is provided below the table for plotting data points. This will likely be used to graph the relationship between one of the parameters, such as radius versus radial velocity or gravitational mass.
Transcribed Image Text:**Astronomy 101 Lab 8: Dark Matter** **Worksheet** **Table 1** | A. Radius (kpc) | B. Radial Velocity (km/s) | C. Gravitational Mass (in solar masses) | D. Luminosity (in solar luminosity) | |-----------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | 1 | 80 | 0.0514 | | | 2 | 90 | 0.0331 | | | 4 | 120 | 0.0133 | | | 5 | 138 | 0.0220 | | | 6 | 120 | 0.0200 | | | 9 | 155 | 0.0500 | | | 10 | 160 | 0.0590 | | **F. Plot** A grid is provided below the table for plotting data points. This will likely be used to graph the relationship between one of the parameters, such as radius versus radial velocity or gravitational mass.
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