Physics Technology Update (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32190-308-0
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-308-2

Chapter 12 - Gravity - Conceptual Questions - Page 408: 4

Answer

The distance $r$ is the distance between the centers of mass; therefore, the fingers are not separated by a distance of zero.

Work Step by Step

The distance $r$ in the gravitational force is the distance between the centers of mass. Even when the fingers are the closest they can be to each other, the centers of mass are still millimeters apart, which means the force is still relatively small in magnitude but still existent.
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