a. What is the gravitational force of the sun on

Tristan Meyers

Tristan Meyers

Answered question

2022-05-19

a. What is the gravitational force of the sun on the earth?
b. What is the gravitational force of the moon on the earth?
c. The moon’s force is what percent of the sun’s force?

Answer & Explanation

hospitaliapbury

hospitaliapbury

Beginner2022-05-20Added 25 answers

Step 1
The gravitational force (F) of attraction between two objects of masses M 1 and M 2 that are a distance (r) apart is given by Newton’s formula as follows:
F = G M 1 M 2 r 2
Here, G ( 6.67 × 10 11 N m 2 k g 2 ) is the gravitational constant.
Step 2
a.
The Earth’s mass ( M E ) is 5.972 × 10 24   k g
The Sun’s mass ( M S ) is 1.99 × 10 30   k g and it is at an average distance ( r S ) of 1.50 × 10 11 m from the Earth.
Evaluate the Sun’s gravitational force ( F S ) on the Earth from the above facts as follows:
F S = G M S M E r S 2 = ( 6.67 × 10 11 N m 2 k g 2 ) ( 1.99 × 10 30   k g ) ( 5.972 × 10 24   k g ) ( 1.50 × 10 11 ) 2 = 3.52 × 10 22   N
fetsBedscurce4why1

fetsBedscurce4why1

Beginner2022-05-21Added 2 answers

Step 3
b.
The Moon’s mass ( M M ) is 7.35 × 10 22   k g and it is at an average distance ( r M ) of 3.84 × 10 8   m from the Earth.
Evaluate the Moon’s gravitational force ( F M ) on the Earth from the above facts as follows:
F M = G M M M E r M 2 = ( 6.67 × 10 11 N m 2 k g 2 ) ( 7.35 × 10 22   k g ) ( 5.972 × 10 24   k g ) ( 3.84 × 10 8   m ) 2 = 1.99 × 10 22   N
Step 4
c.
Evaluate the desired percentage (P) from the percentage formula as follows:
P = F M F S × 100 % = ( 1.99 × 10 22   N ) ( 3.52 × 10 22 N ) × 100 % = 56.70 %

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