Physics Technology Update (4th Edition)

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

Chapter 12 - Gravity - Problems and Conceptual Exercises - Page 413: 86

Answer

The force of gravity between the moon and the sun is greater than that of the moon and the earth.

Work Step by Step

The force of gravity between the moon and the earth is given as $F_{E,M}=G\frac{M_EM_M}{R_{EM}^2}$ We plug in the known values to obtain: $F_{E,M}=6.67\times 10^{-11}\frac{(5.97\times 10^{24})(7.35\times 10^{22})}{(3.84\times 10^8)^2}=1.98\times 10^{20}N$.......eq(1) Now the force of gravity between the moon and the sun is given as $F_{S,M}=G\frac{M_SM_M}{(R_{SM})^2}$ We plug in the known values to obtain: $F_{S,M}=\frac{(2.00\times 10^{30})(7.35\times 10^{22})}{(1.50\times 10^{11}+3.84\times 10^8)^2}=4.34\times 10^{20}N$...........eq(2) By comparing eq(1) and eq(2), we can see that the force of gravity between the moon and the sun is greater than that of the moon and the earth.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.