Question

Two ocean liners, each with a mass of 42,000 metric tons, are moving on parallel courses, 93 m apart. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of one of the liners toward the other due to their mutual gravitational attraction? Treat the ships as particles.

Answer 1

Answer:

0.324×10⁻³ m/s²

Explanation:

G=Gravitational constant=6.67408×10⁻⁸ m³/kg s

m₁=m₂=Mass of the ships=42000×10³ kg

r=Distance between the ships=93 m

The ships are considered particles

From Newtons Law of Universal Gravitation

$F=G\frac {m_1m_2}{r^2}\\Here\ m_1=m_2\ hence\ m_1\times m_2=m_1^2\\\Rightarrow F=G\frac {m_1^2}{r^2}\\\Rightarrow F=\frac{6.67408\times 10^{-8}\times (42000\times 10^3)^2}{93^2}\\\Rightarrow F=13612.0674\ N$

$F=ma\\\Rightarrow 13612.0674=42000\times 10^3a\\\Rightarrow a=0.324\times 10^{-3}\ m/s^2$

∴Acceleration of one of the liners toward the other due to their mutual gravitational attraction is 0.324×10⁻³