Question

Two objects attract each other with a gravitational force of magnitude 1.01 10-8 N when separated by 19.9 cm. If the total mass of the two objects is 5.11 kg, what is the mass of each?

Answer 1

Answer:

m₂ = 1.17 kg

Explanation:

Given that,

Force between two objects, $F=1.01\times 10^{-8}\ N$

Mass of object 1, $m_1=5.11\ kg$

Distance between masses, r = 19.9 cm = 0.199 m

The gravitational force between two masses is given by :

$F=\dfrac{Gm_1m_2}{r^2}$

m₂ is the mass of object 2

$m_2=\dfrac{Fr^2}{Gm_1}\\\\m_2=\dfrac{1.01\times 10^{-8}\times (0.199)^2}{6.67\times 10^{-11}\times 5.11}\\\\=1.17\ kg$

So, the mass of second object is 1.17 kg.