Question

1. Two spherical objects have masses of 300 kg and 140 kg. Their centers are separated by a
distance of 1.7 m. Find the gravitational attraction between them.

Answer 1

The concept that must be used to solve this problem is linked to Newton's laws of gravitation. Newton defined the gravitational attraction force as the product between the universal constant of gravitation, by the masses of each object, all this because of the change in the squared distance that separates them, mathematically it can be expressed as,

$F_G = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}$

Here,

G = Gravitational Universal Constant

$m_{1,2}$ = Mass of each object

r = Radius

Our values are,

$G = 6.67*10^{-11}N\cdot m^2/kg^2$

$m_1 = 300kg$

$m_2 = 140kg$

$r = 1.7m$

Replacing,

$F_G = \frac{(6.67*10^{-11}N\cdot m^2/kg^2 )(300kg)(140kg )}{(1.7m)^2}$

$F_G = 9.7*10^{-7} N$