AQA M3 2007 June — Question 1

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2007
SessionJune
TopicDimensional Analysis

1 The magnitude of the gravitational force, \(F\), between two planets of masses \(m _ { 1 }\) and \(m _ { 2 }\) with centres at a distance \(x\) apart is given by $$F = \frac { G m _ { 1 } m _ { 2 } } { x ^ { 2 } }$$ where \(G\) is a constant.
  1. By using dimensional analysis, find the dimensions of \(G\).
  2. The lifetime, \(t\), of a planet is thought to depend on its mass, \(m\), its initial radius, \(R\), the constant \(G\) and a dimensionless constant, \(k\), so that $$t = k m ^ { \alpha } R ^ { \beta } G ^ { \gamma }$$ where \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\) are constants.
    Find the values of \(\alpha , \beta\) and \(\gamma\).