Question

the gravitational force that earth exerts on the moon equals 2.03 x 10^20N. The moons mass is 7.35 x 10^22kg. What is the acceleration of the moon due to earth’s gravitational pull?

Answer 1

The first time we read this, we think that we'll have to go look up a bunch of stuff about the gravitational constant, centripetal force, orbital mechanics, the Moon's period of revolution, and who knows whut owl !

But you know whut ?  The only thing we need is Newton's 2nd law:

F = m A

Divide each side by m :

Acceleration = Force / mass

Acceleration = (2.03 x 10²⁰ Newtons) / (7.35 x 10²² kg)

Acceleration = (2.03 x 10²⁰ / 7.35 x 10²² kg) (m/s²)

Acceleration = 0.00276 m/s²