Question

Two spherical objects have masses of 3.1 x 10^5 kg and 6.5 x 10^3 kg. The gravitational attraction between them is 65 N. How far apart are their centers? (answer to 2 digits)

Answer 1

Answer:

4.55 x 10⁹m

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass of object 1  = 3.1 x 10⁵kg

Mass of object 2 = 6.5 x 10³kg

Gravitational force  = 65N

Unknown:

Distance between them  = ?

Solution:

To solve this problem, we use the expression below from the universal gravitational law;

    Fg  =    $\frac{G mass 1 x mass 2}{distance ^{2} }$  

   G = 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹

        65  = $\frac{6.67 x 10^{11} x 3.1 x 10^{5} x 6.5 x 10^{3} }{distance^{2} }$    

   Distance  = 4.55 x 10⁹m