Question

Two particles are attracted to each other by the gravitational force between them. Particle 1 has a mass of 12kg, Particle 2 has a mass of 25kg. The particles are separated by a distance of 1.2m. What is the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the particles?

Answer 1

Answer: 1.4 x 10^-8N

Explanation:

Given that,

Mass of Particle 1 (m1) = 12kg

Mass of Particle 2 (m2) = 25kg

distance between particles (r) = 1.2m. Gravitational force (F) =

Apply the formula for gravitational force:

F = Gm1m2/r²

where G is the gravitational constant with a value of 6.7 x 10^-11 Nm2/kg2

Then, F = (6.7 x 10^-11 Nm²/kg² x 12kg x 25kg) / (1.2m)²

F = (2.01 x 10^-8Nm²) / (1.44m²)

F = 1.396 x 10^-8N (Rounded to the nearest tenth as 1.4 x 10^-8N)

Thus, the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the particles is 1.4 x 10^-8 Newton